Effect of coumestrol on the insulin receptor in erythrocytes and liver membranes of female rabbits.

The effect of chronic coumestrol treatment on insulin level and insulin sensitivity was examined in female rabbits. The phytooestrogen was injected subcutaneously at a dose of 1 mg/day for 10 days. The decreased blood insulin level was observed after coumestrol treatment. Simultaneously phytooestrogen altered the insulin binding but the response of liver and erythrocytes was not identical. The maximal binding of receptor sites was diminished in both tissues. However its effect was more pronounced within the high affinity insulin receptor in the liver while, in erythrocytes, statistically significant changes were observed within the low affinity insulin receptors. These results suggest that although coumestrol alters the insulin binding in female rats, the response of different tissues should be analyzed separately.