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Table 1

From: Insulin: a wonder drug in the critically ill?

Potentially beneficial actions of insulin in critical illness

Less (stress) hyperglycaemia by 'overcoming' insulin resistance, and therefore better antimicrobial defence and wound healing

Stimulation of glucose uptake/glycolysis, pyruvate dehydrogenase and energy production

Anti-inflammatory properties, such as less oxygen radical formation

Suppression of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I-binding protein, increased IGF-I

Increased muscle protein synthesis

Inhibition of apoptosis and promoting repair of damaged tissue

Promotion of ischaemic preconditioning

Less ischaemia/reperfusion damage

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Critical Care

ISSN: 1364-8535