The Role of Serum Free Fatty Acids in Microvascular Function
Background
High levels of serum free fatty acids (FFA) are linked to insulin resistance and are common in metabolic syndrome. Insulin resistance often leads to poor blood vessel function.
Objective
We aimed to see if lowering FFA using two different medications—acipimox and salsalate—could improve blood vessel response to insulin.
Methods
This study combined results from two trials. We included 16 participants (6 with metabolic syndrome and 10 healthy) who took acipimox or a placebo for 7 days. Another group of 19 participants (13 with metabolic syndrome and 6 healthy) took salsalate or a placebo for 4 weeks. We measured blood vessel response to insulin before and after treatment.
Results
Initially, higher FFA levels were linked to poorer blood vessel response to insulin. After treatment, FFA levels dropped, but there was no improvement in blood vessel function or insulin sensitivity.
Conclusions
Short-term FFA reduction does not enhance blood vessel response to insulin in metabolic syndrome patients.
Trial Registration
ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers: NCT00759291 and NCT00760019.
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