The effect of insulin on macrophage metabolism and function

Abstract

This study examined the effect of insulin on rat macrophage metabolism and function. The following parameters were studied: cell migration in response to thioglycollate and BCG stimuli, macrophage phagocytic capacity, H2O2 production, glucose and glutamine metabolism as indicated by the measurement of enzyme activities, the utilization of metabolites and production and oxidation of substrates. The results indicate that insulin: (1) did not affect cell migration in response to thioglycollate and BCG; (2) enhanced the phagocytic capacity of macrophages and the production of H2O2 by macrophages; (3) increased the metabolism of glucose and reduced that of glutaminase.