Acute and chronic regulation of serum sex hormone-binding globulin levels by plasma insulin concentrations in male noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients.

This study was undertaken to investigate the relationship of the serum sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels with the plasma insulin concentration and with the insulin resistance in male subjects with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). This investigation comprised 12 patients with NIDDM and 16 normal subjects matched for age, sex, and body mass index (BMI). There was a significant increase in insulin levels (P < 0.03) and a decrease in SHBG levels (P < 0.01) in the diabetic group as compared with those of the normal group. The sex hormone and plasma insulin levels were measured in NIDDM patients undergoing exercise and dietary therapy. Insulin sensitivity was evaluated by the hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp technique expressed as the glucose infusion rate (GIR) before and after the treatment. The SHBG levels correlated significantly with the insulin concentrations (r = -0.643, P < 0.05) and with the GIR (r = 0.615, P < 0.05) before the treatment. The SHBG levels (P < 0.02) and GIR (P <...