Interleukin-6 Increases Insulin-Stimulated Glucose Disposal in Humans and Glucose Uptake and Fatty Acid Oxidation In Vitro via AMP-Activated Protein Kinase

Although interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been associated with insulin resistance, little is known regarding the effects of IL-6 on insulin sensitivity in humans in vivo. Here, we show that IL-6 infusion increases glucose disposal without affecting the complete suppression of endogenous glucose production during a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp in healthy humans. Because skeletal muscle accounts for most of the insulin-stimulated glucose disposal in vivo, we examined the mechanism(s) by which IL-6 may affect muscle metabolism using L6 myotubes. IL-6 treatment increased fatty acid oxidation, basal and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake, and translocation of GLUT4 to the plasma membrane. Furthermore, IL-6 rapidly and…

• HA
  Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
• CD
  Canadian Diabetes Association
• SO
  Sundhed og Sygdom, Det Frie Forskningsråd

  Award: 22-01-009
• NR
  National Research Foundation
• DG
  Danmarks Grundforskningsfond

  Awards: 22-01-009, LSHM-CT-2004-005272
• JA
  Javna Agencija za Raziskovalno Dejavnost RS
• UV
  Univerza v Ljubljani
• CI
  Canadian Institutes of Health Research
• MR
  Medical Research Council
• AR
  Australian Research Council
• NH
  National Health and Medical Research Council