Pharmacological treatment of hyperinsulineamia in rats depends on coping style.

Passive and proactive coping styles are associated with marked differences in behavioral and neuroendocrine responses. Previous studies revealed that the passive individuals are more prone to hyperinsulinemia. Likewise, we hypothesize that different coping styles may require different drugs to treat this. We tested this by treating passive and proactive rats (Roman Low Avoidance and Roman High Avoidance rats respectively) with either Rosiglitazone or with RU486. After eight days of treatment we performed and intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) and we compared the insulin and glucose levels with those measured during the IVGTT at baseline. Rosiglitazone improved insulin levels during an IVGTT in both passive and proactive coping styles. RU486, however, lowered insulin levels only in rats with a passive coping style. This study suggests that insight in the neuroendocrine differences between passive and proactive coping styles may provide an extra impulse to improve treatment of insulin resistance, since it allows the application of drugs targeted at the individual.