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Clinical Autonomic Research
Published in: Clinical Autonomic Research 6/2023

21-09-2023 | Hypoglycemia | Research Article

Effect of hypoglycemia on baroreflex sensitivity in individuals with type 2 diabetes: implications for autonomic control of cardiovascular function in diabetes

Authors: Andrea V. Haas, Andrew Koefoed, Rebecca M. Easly, Johanna Celli, Mahyar Heydarpour, Istvan Bonyhay, Roy Freeman, Gail K. Adler

Published in: Clinical Autonomic Research | Issue 6/2023

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Abstract

Purpose

Hypoglycemia is associated with increased mortality, though the mechanisms underlying this association are not established. Hypoglycemia impairs the counterregulatory hormonal and autonomic responses to subsequent hypoglycemia. It is unknown whether hypoglycemia elicits a generalized impairment in autonomic control of cardiovascular function in individuals with type 2 diabetes. We tested the hypothesis that in individuals with type 2 diabetes, hypoglycemia impairs a key measure of cardiovascular autonomic homeostasis, baroreflex sensitivity.

Methods

Sixteen individuals with well-controlled type 2 diabetes and without known cardiovascular disease were exposed to two 90-min episodes of experimental hypoglycemia (2.8 mmol/L, 50 mg/dL) on the same day. All individuals experienced a hypoglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp in the morning (AM clamp) and again in the afternoon (PM clamp). Baroreflex sensitivity was assessed using the modified Oxford method before the initiation of each hypoglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp, during the last 30 min of hypoglycemia, and the following morning. A mixed effects model adjusting for sex, age, BMI, and insulin level, demonstrated a significant effect of hypoglycemia on baroreflex sensitivity. The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03422471).

Results

Baroreflex sensitivity during PM hypoglycemia was reduced compared to baseline, during AM hypoglycemia, and the next day. Insulin levels positively correlated with baroreflex sensitivity at baseline and during AM hypoglycemia.

Conclusion

Exposure to hypoglycemia impairs a key measure of autonomic control of cardiovascular function and, thus, may increase the risk of cardiac arrhythmias and blood pressure lability in individuals with type 2 diabetes. This effect is attenuated in part by increased insulin levels.
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Metadata
Title
Effect of hypoglycemia on baroreflex sensitivity in individuals with type 2 diabetes: implications for autonomic control of cardiovascular function in diabetes
Authors
Andrea V. Haas
Andrew Koefoed
Rebecca M. Easly
Johanna Celli
Mahyar Heydarpour
Istvan Bonyhay
Roy Freeman
Gail K. Adler
Publication date
21-09-2023
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Clinical Autonomic Research / Issue 6/2023
Print ISSN: 0959-9851
Electronic ISSN: 1619-1560
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10286-023-00983-5

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