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I D Caterson

Publications and source records attributed to I D Caterson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Leptin secretion is related to glucose-derived lipogenesis in isolated adipocytes.

OBJECTIVE: Leptin secretion in rats is regulated acutely by nutritional state. Insulin plays an important role in this acute nutritional regulation both directly and indirectly through effects on glucose metabolism. The aim of this study was to investigate if the fasting-induced suppression of leptin secretion was reversed by incubation under conditions mimicking nutritional repletion. DESIGN: Leptin secretion and glucose metabolism were measured following incubation with glucose and insulin in adipocytes isolated from fed and fasted rats. RESULTS: Leptin secretion was stimulated by incubation with glucose and insulin in adipocytes isolated from fed but not from fasted rats as was glucose flux through oxidative and lipogenic pathways. Ob expression and intracellular leptin content were decreased in adipocytes isolated from fasted rats throughout the whole incubation period. Suppression of glucose metabolism with cytochalasin B was accompanied by suppression of leptin secretion. The amount of leptin secretion correlated with the glucose incorporated into lipid under insulin-stimulated conditions. CONCLUSIONS: It is proposed that glucose incorporation into lipid, at least during insulin-stimulated conditions, reflects the metabolic status of the adipocyte and may be a more important regulator of leptin production and secretion than circulating glucose or insulin levels.

Adipocytes↗

Insulin determines leptin responses during a glucose challenge in fed and fasted rats.

OBJECTIVE: Leptin secretion has been shown to respond acutely to changes in blood glucose and insulin. Nutritional state also has a marked effect on both the level of circulating leptin protein and leptin gene expression. The aim of this study was to assess whether the prior nutritional state altered the leptin secretory response to an acute glucose challenge, and to determine potential mechanisms. DESIGN: Male fed or fasted rats (200-250 g) were administered a single intravenous glucose bolus (1, 4 or 7 g/kg). The serum leptin, glucose, insulin and free fatty acid responses were studied over the following 5 h. The level of leptin gene expression and leptin protein was then determined in the epididymal fat pads, and in fed and fasted untreated rats for basal comparison. RESULTS: Leptin secretion in response to glucose was suppressed in fasted rats following all glucose doses. The total leptin response was correlated with the total insulin response in all conditions (r = 0.85) and with the glucose response in fed rats (r = 0.69). Both leptin gene expression and leptin protein content were lower in basal fasted rats. Leptin gene expression and leptin protein content still remained lower 5 h following a glucose bolus but there was partial reversal of the effects of fasting following the 7 g/kg glucose dose. CONCLUSIONS: Leptin secretion in response to an intravenous glucose bolus was determined by the insulin response and was significantly suppressed in fasted compared to fed rats. In addition to differences in the total insulin response of the animals, lower leptin responses may be facilitated by lower levels of both leptin gene mRNA and pre-existing leptin protein in epididymal adipose tissue of fasted rats.

Adipose Tissue↗

Effect of orlistat on cardiovascular disease risk in obese adults.

AIM: The aim of this study is to compare the effect of orlistat vs. placebo on the predicted 10-year cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in obese people with one or more cardiovascular risk factors treated for 12 months, in conjunction with a fat-reduced, but otherwise ad libitum, diet. METHODS: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel study was performed in conjunction with a fat-reduced diet and physical activity advice for 1 year. Participants (n = 339) from eight centres in Australia and New Zealand were randomized to either orlistat (120 mg) three times daily (n = 104 women, 66 men; mean +/- s.d. age = 52.0 +/- 7.5 years, body mass index (BMI) = 37.6 +/- 5.1 kg/m(2)) or placebo three times daily (n = 89 women, 80 men; age = 52.5 +/- 7.4 years, BMI = 38.0 +/- 4.9 kg/m(2)). The primary efficacy criterion was the 10-year risk of developing CVD calculated from the Framingham equation. Secondary efficacy criteria were body weight, waist circumference, blood pressure and serum concentrations of triglycerides, cholesterol (total, LDL and HDL), glucose, insulin and glycated haemoglobin and quality of life. RESULTS: There was no difference in the change in 10-year CVD risk between orlistat and placebo groups over 1 year. The orlistat group, however, had significant favourable changes in many of the individual CVD risk factors (total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, glucose, glycated haemoglobin, insulin, body weight and waist circumference) and one of the domains of quality of life measured by means of the SF-36 questionnaire (vitality), compared to the placebo group. Significant reductions in medication use for hypertension and diabetes were observed in the orlistat group, compared to those in placebo, but there were no significant differences in medication use for blood lipids. CONCLUSIONS: Orlistat may have reduced CVD risk, as judged by the favourable changes in individual risk factors and reductions in medication use, but the method used in order to measure absolute CVD risk in this study (Framingham CVD equation) was not sensitive enough to detect the changes in this relatively low-risk group (approximately 10% of risk of a CVD event over 10 years).

Adult↗

Plasma leptin is associated with insulin resistance independent of age, body mass index, fat mass, lipids, and pubertal development in nondiabetic adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: The rising epidemic worldwide in overweight and obese children requires urgent attention. Leptin has been found to be associated with body weight control and possibly affects insulin sensitivity. Since insulin resistance is associated with obesity in adults and possibly in adolescents, we set out to investigate the association of plasma leptin level with various anthropometric indices, body fat mass (FM), lipids, and insulin resistance (IR) index in nondiabetic adolescents. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study from three high schools in Taipei City in Taiwan. SUBJECTS: A total of 402 nondiabetic subjects (162 boys and 240 girls; age range, 10-19 y; mean age, 15.8+/-1.9 y, and mean body mass index (BMI), 24.8+/-4.6 kg/m(2)) were recruited. MEASUREMENTS: The fasting plasma leptin, plasma glucose, insulin, lipids, and anthropometric indices including height, weight, waist (WC) and hip circumferences, and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were examined. Total body FM and percentage body fat (FM%) were obtained from dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The homeostasis model was applied to estimate the degree of IR. RESULTS: The plasma leptin levels were significantly higher in girls (17.45+/-10.13 ng/ml) than boys (8.81+/-6.71 ng/ml, P<0.001). The plasma leptin levels were positively correlated to BMI, WC, WHR, FM, FM%, and triglycerides (TG). The IR index was positively correlated to BMI, WC, WHR, FM, FM%, TG, and leptin. Using the multivariate linear regression models, we found that plasma leptin remains significantly associated with IR index even after adjusting for age, gender, BMI, FM, WC, Tanner stage, and TG. CONCLUSION: Plasma leptin was associated with IR index independent of age, gender, BMI, FM, WC, Tanner stage, and TG. Plasma leptin levels in adolescents could be a predictor for the development of the metabolic syndrome disorders and cardiovascular diseases.

Adipose Tissue↗

Dietary modulation of circulating leptin levels: site-specific changes in fat deposition and ob mRNA expression.

In order to study the effects of diet on fat distribution, circulating leptin levels and ob mRNA expression, diets of different macronutrient composition were fed to lean mice and gold thioglucose-obese mice. A high-fat diet and 2 high-carbohydrate diets, one containing mostly high-glycaemic-index starch and the other containing low-glycaemic-index starch were fed ad libitum for 10 weeks and were compared to standard laboratory chow. Weight gain was attenuated by feeding low-glycaemic-index starch in all mice and by feeding a high-fat diet in lean mice. Reduced adiposity was seen in lean mice fed low-glycaemic-index starch, whereas increased adiposity was seen in both lean and obese mice fed on the high-fat diet. Circulating leptin levels, when corrected for adiposity, were decreased in all mice fed either the high-fat diet or the low-GI diet. In epididymal fat pads, decreased ob mRNA expression was seen after both high-fat and high-glycaemic-index starch feeding. These results show that diet macronutrient composition contributes to the variability of circulating leptin levels by the combined effects of diet on fat distribution and on site-specific changes in ob mRNA expression.

Adipose Tissue↗

Self-efficacy in relation to eating behaviour among obese and non-obese women.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of a 3 month behaviour modification weight management programme on self-efficacy and anthropometric variables among obese women seeking treatment at an obesity management clinic and to compare self-efficacy among these obese women to non-obese women. DESIGN: Cross sectional. SUBJECTS: A total of 161 non-obese (BMI 22.6+/-2.9 kg/m(2)) and 138 obese (BMI 37.7+/-5.8 kg/m(2)) women of similar age. MEASUREMENTS: Self-efficacy in relation to eating was assessed by the Weight Efficacy Lifestyle (WEL) questionnaire. Demographic information was obtained by interview and questionnaire in the obese and by questionnaire in the non-obese. Anthropometric measurements were obtained by direct measure in the obese and BMI was calculated from self-reported weight and height in the non-obese. RESULTS: At entry to the programme obese women scored significantly less (P<0.0001) than non-obese women on the WEL (99.4+/-34.1 vs 139.0+/-24.9). Women who completed the programme (n=65) demonstrated a decrease in waist circumference of 3.9+/-5.3 cm, a 10.0+/-11.5% loss of excess weight and a significant improvement in total WEL score from 106.0+/-30.3 to 126.5+/-28.4. CONCLUSION: Improvements in some dimensions of self-efficacy among obese women were of sufficient magnitude to attain scores similar to women of a normal weight. The WEL questionnaire may provide an additional measure of success as well as provide positive feedback and encouragement to the client.

Adolescent↗

G-protein beta3 subunit gene splice variant in obesity and overweight.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the C825T polymorphism of the G-protein beta3 subunit gene (GNB3) is associated with overweight and obesity. This polymorphism leads to a splice variant (Gbeta3-s) with higher activity and very strong association with essential hypertension. DESIGN: A cross-sectional case-control study. SUBJECTS: The sets of affected and control British/European Caucasian subjects used were: (i) an obesity clinic group most of whom had "morbid obesity" (mean body mass index (BMI) for group=43+/-8 kg/m(2)) and non-obese controls (BMI< or =30); (ii) a group of overweight/obese healthy normotensive community volunteers (BMI>25; mean 29+/-5) and controls (BMI< or =25; mean 23+/-1); (iii) a group of overweight/obese hypertensive patients (BMI>25; mean 30+/-4) and lean hypertensive controls (BMI< or =25; mean=23+/-2). MEASUREMENTS: BMI, blood pressure, serum lipids, alleles of GNB3 polymorphism. RESULTS: Compared with control, frequency of the T allele in obese subjects was higher by 12% in (i), 17% in (ii) and 28% in (iii), but the differences were not statistically significant. Slight tracking of the T allele with elevation in BMI was, however, observed, in the obesity clinic group (P=0.018). CONCLUSION: The C825T splice variant of GNB3 makes little if any contribution to obesity in the groups we tested.

Adult↗

In vivo and in vitro suppression by leptin of glucose-stimulated insulin hypersecretion in high glucose-fed rats.

OBJECTIVES: Chronic feeding to rats of high glycaemic index (GI) diets results in the hypersecretion of insulin in response to an i.v. glucose load. The first aim of this study was to see if this exaggerated insulin response was accompanied by a hypersensitivity to glucose stimulation in isolated islets in vitro. The second aim was to see if the adipocyte factor, leptin, was able to alter insulin secretion in this model both in vivo and in vitro. DESIGN AND METHODS: Rats were fed for 6 weeks either a high GI diet in which the carbohydrate component was mostly glucose (GLUC diet) or a low GI diet containing mostly amylose (AMOSE diet). Rats then underwent an i.v. glucose tolerance test (ivGTT) (1g/kg) with and without a prior infusion of leptin (133 microg/kg perh). Islets were then isolated from these rats and basal and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) measured in both the absence and presence (100ng/ml) of leptin. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Peak insulin response during the ivGTT was 3-fold greater in GLUC rats (P<0.001). Leptin had no effect on AMOSE rat insulin response but lowered the GLUC rat response to AMOSE rat levels. In vitro, basal insulin secretion was 4-fold greater in GLUC rats (P<0.05). At 20mmol/l glucose, there was no further increase in insulin secretion in GLUC rats but a 2-fold increase in AMOSE rats. Leptin had no effect on basal insulin secretion or GSIS in AMOSE rats but reduced basal insulin secretion and GSIS in GLUC rats. These results show insulin hypersecretion in high GI-fed rats may be reduced by leptin.

Animals↗

Chronic administration of BRL 26830A for 9 weeks improves insulin sensitivity but does not prevent weight gain in gold-thioglucose obese mice.

BRL 26830A, a beta adrenoceptor agonist, has been shown to have antiobesity and antidiabetic properties in rodents. The aim of this study was to study the effects of chronic BRL 26830A treatment (20 mg/kg/day for 9 weeks) on weight gain and the development of insulin resistance in gold-thioglucose-injected mice (GTG). BRL 26830A slowed the rate of weight gain in GTG such that mice weighed significantly less between 2 w and 7 w of treatment. However, at the time of sacrifice (9 w), there was no difference in body weight between treated and untreated GTG. The obesity-induced reduction in lipogenesis in brown adipose tissue (BAT) was increased 9 fold to greater than CON levels. However, weight and fatty acid (FA) content of BAT were reduced, suggesting increased lipid turnover and thermogenesis. Lipogenesis, FA content and fat pad weight were unchanged in white adipose tissue (WAT) and decreased in liver of GTG. Glucose tolerance was improved in both CON and GTG. Hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia and changes in cardiac and hepatic glucose oxidation as indicated by PDHC activity were normalized. Serum triglycerides and non-esterified fatty acids were reduced. Thus, chronic BRL 26830A treatment prevented the development of insulin resistance and attenuated weight gain, but did not prevent the development of obesity in this model.

Adipose Tissue↗

Plasma insulin rise precedes rise in ob mRNA expression and plasma leptin in gold thioglucose-obese mice.

Circulating leptin levels are strongly related to the degree of adiposity, with hyperleptinemia being associated with hyperinsulinemia. In the gold thioglucose-injected mouse (GTG), hyperinsulinemia is an early abnormality in the development of insulin resistance and obesity. In this study, hyperinsulinemia occurred 1 wk post-GTG [GTG, 199 +/- 43; age-matched controls (CON), 53 +/- 5 microU/ml; P < 0.001], with leptin levels not rising until 2 wk post-GTG (CON, 3.2 +/- 0.3; GTG, 9.9 +/- 1.7 ng/ml; P < 0.001) in parallel with increases in the size of different fat pads and increased expression of ob mRNA. The ratio of serum leptin to fat pad weight was significantly higher in GTG mice 12 wk postinjection. Starvation-induced reductions in serum leptin (50%), glucose (50%), and insulin (74%) were greater than decreases in fat pad weight (18%). Adrenalectomy decreased both adiposity and serum leptin within 1 wk in both CON and GTG and altered the serum leptin level-to-fat pad weight ratio in CON. Thus hyperinsulinemia preceded increased ob expression and hyperleptinemia, which occurred in parallel with increasing adiposity, consistent with the role of leptin as an indicator of energy supplies. Changes in hormonal and nutritional status may modify this relationship.

Adipose Tissue↗

Leptin has acute effects on glucose and lipid metabolism in both lean and gold thioglucose-obese mice.

Leptin is reported to have effects in peripheral tissues that are independent of its central effects on food intake and body weight. In this study, the acute effects of a single dose of recombinant mouse leptin on lipid and glucose metabolism in lean and gold thioglucose-injected obese mice were examined. Changes were measured 2 h after leptin injection. In lean mice, liver and white adipose tissue (WAT) lipogenesis was inhibited. The activity of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDHCa), the rate-determining step for glucose oxidation, was reduced in heart, liver, quadriceps muscle, and both brown and white adipose tissues. Muscle and liver glycogen and liver triglyceride (TG) content was unchanged, but muscle TG was decreased. In obese mice, liver and WAT lipogenesis was inhibited and PDHCa reduced in heart and quadriceps muscle. Muscle and liver glycogen was decreased but not TG. Serum insulin was reduced in obese but not lean mice. These results are consistent with a role for leptin in the maintenance of steady-state energy stores by decreasing lipid synthesis and increasing fat mobilization, with decreased glucose oxidation occurring as a result of increased fatty acid oxidation.

Adipose Tissue↗

Pharmacokinetics of dexamethasone and its relationship to dexamethasone suppression test outcome in depressed patients and healthy control subjects.

The pharmacokinetics of dexamethasone (DEX) were studied in 9 drug-free melancholically depressed patients and 10 healthy control subjects matched by sex and age. Each subject received 1 mg of DEX administered orally and by the (i.v.) route at 11:00 PM and serial blood samples were collected over the next 17 hours until 4:00 PM. There were no significant differences between the diagnostic groups and DEX bioavailability, peak plasma level, time to maximum concentration, or in elimination half-life after oral administration. Bioavailability estimates indicated that DEX absorption was incomplete and variable mean = 61%, SD = 14) in controls as well as depressed patients. In both groups there was a wide interindividual variability in plasma DEX levels following both oral and i.v. routes of administration. This variability could not be reliably predicted by differences in age, sex, or weight between subjects. The factors that accounted for most the variability in 4:00 PM plasma DEX levels after oral administration were clearance, bioavailability, and time to reach maximum concentration. Plasma DEX levels were lower in 3 depressed nonsuppressors compared to 3 matched controls who suppressed. No single pharmacokinetic factor was shown to be responsible for the lower DEX levels in the depressed nonsuppressors. These results indicate that plasma DEX levels need to be measured in each individual during the DST procedure so that this information may be taken into consideration when interpreting DST results.

Administration, Oral↗

Muscle fibre type composition in infant and adult populations and relationships with obesity.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the fibre type composition of skeletal muscle in infants and young children and to compare the findings to an adult population. To relate the fibre type profile of skeletal muscle in adults to measures of adiposity. DESIGN: Cross-sectional studies of skeletal muscle fibre composition in infants and adults with measures of adiposity in the adults. SUBJECTS: 21 healthy infants and young children (age: 3-21 months) and 40 healthy adult Australian Caucasians (age: 26-62 y; BMI: 18-48 kg/m2). MEASUREMENTS: Skeletal muscle fibre type composition (by myosin ATPase method) and relative body fatness (BMI, waist circumference and waist/hip ratio (WHR)). RESULTS: Infants and young children had significantly lesser proportions of glycolytic Type 2b fibres (6.2 +/- 1.1%; range 0.3-18.9%) compared with adults (20.5 +/- 1.6%; range 4.9-36.0%) (p < 0.0001). The percentage of Type 2b fibres was directly related to BMI (r = 0.44, p = 0.02), waist circumference (r = 0.49, p = 0.009) and WHR (r = 0.44, p = 0.02) in adults. A significant, direct relationship was also found between the proportion of glycolytic Type 2b fibres and age in the adults (r = 0.45, p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Skeletal muscle fibre type composition is different in infants and adults and there is an age-dependent increase in Type 2b fibres over the lifespan. An increased proportion of glycolytic Type 2b fibres is associated with obesity in adults. Results support a gene-environment interaction on fibre type composition in human skeletal muscle.

Adult↗

Hepatic gluconeogenesis and the activity of PDH in individual tissues of GTG-obese mice following adrenalectomy.

Adrenalectomy (ADX) lowers circulating glucose levels in animal models of non-insulin dependent diabetes (NIDDM) and obesity. To investigate the role of hepatic glucose production (HGP) and tissue glucose oxidation in the improvement in glucose tolerance, hepatocyte gluconeogenesis and the activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) were examined in different tissues of gold thioglucose (GTG) obese mice 2 weeks after ADX or sham ADX. GTG-obese mice which had undergone ADX weighed significantly less than their adrenal intact counterparts (GTG ADX: 37.5 +/- 0.7 g; GTG: 44.1 +/- 0.4; p < 0.05), and demonstrated lower serum glucose (GTG ADX: 22.5 +/- 1.6 mmol/L; GTG: 29.4 +/- 1.9 mmol/L; p < 0.05) and serum insulin levels (GTG ADX: 76 +/- 10 microU/mL; GTG: 470 +/- 63 microU/mL; p < 0.05). Lactate conversion to glucose by hepatocytes isolated from ADX GTG mice was significantly reduced compared with that of hepatocytes from GTG mice (GTG ADX: 125 +/- 10 nmol glucose/10(6) cells; GTG: 403 +/- 65 nmol glucose/10(6) cells; p < 0.05). ADX also significantly reduced both the glycogen (GTG ADX: 165 +/- 27 mumol/liver; GTG: 614 +/- 60 mumol/liver; p < 0.05) and fatty acid content (GTG ADX: 101 +/- 9 mg fatty acid/g liver; GTG: 404 +/- 40 mg fatty acid/g liver; p < 0.05) of the liver of GTG-obese mice. ADX of GTG-obese mice reduced PDH activity by varying degrees in all tissues, except quadriceps muscle. These observations are consistent with an ADX induced decrease in hepatic lipid stores removing fatty acid-induced increases in gluconeogenesis and increased peripheral availability of fatty acids inhibiting PDH activity via the glucose/fatty acid cycle. It is also evident that the improvement in glucose tolerance which accompanies ADX of GTG-obese mice is not due to increased PDH activity resulting in enhanced peripheral glucose oxidation. Instead, it is more likely that reduced blood glucose levels after ADX of GTG-obese mice are the result of decreased gluconeogenesis in the liver.

Adrenalectomy↗

Skeletal muscle membrane lipids and insulin resistance.

Skeletal muscle plays a major role in insulin-stimulated glucose disposal. This paper reviews the range of evidence in humans and experimental animals demonstrating close associations between insulin action and two major aspects of muscle morphology: fatty acid composition of the major structural lipid (phospholipid) in muscle cell membranes and relative proportions of major muscle fiber types. Work in vitro and in vivo in both rats and humans has shown that incorporation of more unsaturated fatty acids into muscle membrane phospholipid is associated with improved insulin action. As the corollary, a higher proportion of saturated fats is linked to impairment of insulin action (insulin resistance). Studies in vitro suggest a causal relationship. Among polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) there is some, but not conclusive, evidence that omega-3 (n-3) PUFA may play a particular role in improving insulin action; certainly a high n-6/n-3 ratio appears deleterious. In relation to fiber type, the more highly oxidative, insulin-sensitive type 1 and type 2a fibers have a higher percentage of unsaturated fatty acids, particularly n-3, in their membrane phospholipid, compared to the insulin-resistant, glycolytic, type 2b fibers. These variables, however, can be separated and may act in synergy to modulate insulin action. It remains to establish whether lifestyle (e.g., dietary fatty acid profile and physical activity), genetic predisposition, or a combination are the prime determinants of muscle morphology (particularly membrane lipid profile) and hence insulin action.

Animals↗

Glucose tolerance and insulin secretion after adrenalectomy in mice made obese with gold thioglucose.

The effect of adrenalectomy (ADX) on glucose tolerance and insulin secretion was examined in conscious mice made obese by a single injection of gold thioglucose (GTG). To facilitate such a study a chronic jugular catheter was implanted into the mice at the time of performing the ADX or sham-ADX. One week after ADX, the body weight (GTG-obese+sham-ADX, 35.6 +/- 0.6 g; GTG-obese+ADX, 33.1 +/- 0.6 g; P < 0.05) and glycogen content of the liver (GTG-obese+sham-ADX, 2.4 +/- 0.2 mumol/liver; GTG-obese+ADX, 1.6 +/- 0.1 mumol/liver; P < 0.05) of GTG-injected mice were reduced. Plasma glucose concentrations, in both the overnight fasted state and in response to an intravenous glucose load were also reduced following ADX of GTG-obese mice, but not to the level of the sham-ADX control mice. However, ADX completely normalized plasma insulin concentrations in both the basal state and also in response to a glucose load, as indicated by the finding that the integrated insulin secretory response of the ADX GTG-obese mice was not different from that of sham-ADX control mice (control+sham-ADX, 192 +/- 5 min.microU/ml; GTG-obese+ADX, 196 +/- 10 min.microU/ml). The effects of ADX on carbohydrate metabolism were not restricted to GTG-injected mice, as ADX of control mice decreased fasting plasma glucose levels and reduced liver glycogen and plasma insulin concentrations. The normalization of insulin release in ADX GTG-obese mice occurred while these mice were still obese and glucose intolerant. This suggests that the decreased insulin release was not due solely to an ADX-induced improvement in insulin sensitivity and/or weight loss. Removal of central glucocorticoid effects on the parasympathetic stimulation of insulin release may play a role in the reduced insulin release observed after ADX of obese and control mice, although peripheral effects of glucocorticoid deficiency on glycogen synthesis in the liver may also influence whole animal glucose homeostasis.

Adrenalectomy↗

Insulin response to a spontaneously ingested standard meal during the development of obesity in GTG-injected mice.

OBJECTIVES: (1) To determine glucose and insulin levels in response to ingestion of a standard meal during the development of gold-thioglucose (GTG)-induced obesity. (2) To examine whether the pancreatic beta-cells of GTG-injected mice possess sufficient insulin secretory capacity to compensate for the increasing tissue insulin resistance that occurs with the development of this obesity. DESIGN: The insulin secretory response to a standard meal of chow was examined in chronically catheterised conscious mice 2, 5 and 10 weeks after induction of obesity by a single injection of GTG. RESULTS: At 2 weeks after administration of GTG both the basal insulinaemia and the incremental area under the curve (iAUC) of insulin release after a chow meal were increased compared with age-matched lean control mice (2 week control: 1004 +/- 316 min/microU/ml; 2 week GTG: 1968 +/- 300 min/microU/ml; P < 0.05). By 5 weeks, the GTG-injected mice were approximately 42% heavier than their lean controls and showed a marked glucose intolerance. This was accompanied by hyperinsulinaemia in both the basal state and also in response to ingestion of the chow meal as indicated by the increase in the iAUC of insulin (5 week control: 1113 +/- 331 min/microU/ml; 5 week GTG: 2682 +/- 295 min/microU/ml; P < 0.05). At 10 weeks after GTG administration body weight was further increased, as was the degree of glucose intolerance. Plasma insulin levels, in both the basal state and in response to the ingestion of chow, were also further elevated by 10 weeks following GTG injection (10 week control: 1234 +/- 311 min/microU/ml; 10 week GTG: 6640 +/- 1198 min/microU/ml; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It is apparent that the secretion of insulin in response to a standard chow meal increases progressively with the development of obesity. This finding, in conjunction with an earlier study showing that the insulin secretory response to intravenously administered glucose becomes impaired in the latter stages of the development of obesity in GTG-injected mice [Blair SC, Caterson ID, Cooney GJ. Diabetes 1993; 42: 1153-1158], suggests that the ability of beta-cells of GTG-obese animals to produce and secrete insulin is not impaired but that the beta-cells may become insensitive to glucose within the circulation.

Animals↗