Intravenous AICAR administration reduces hepatic glucose output and inhibits whole body lipolysis in type 2 diabetic patients

Abstract

Aims/hypothesis: The 5′-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway is intact in type 2 diabetic patients and is seen as a target for diabetes treatment. In this study, we aimed to assess the impact of the AMPK activator 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside (AICAR) on both glucose and fatty acid metabolism in vivo in type 2 diabetic patients. Methods: Stable isotope methodology and blood and muscle biopsy sampling were applied to assess blood glucose and fatty acid kinetics following continuous i.v. infusion of AICAR (0.75 mg kg-1 min-1) and/or NaCl (0.9%) in ten male type 2 diabetic patients (age 64±2 years; BMI 28±1 kg/m2). Results: Plasma glucose rate of appearance (R a) was reduced fo..