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Equine veterinary journal2015; 48(3); 368-373; doi: 10.1111/evj.12434

Effect of increased adiposity on insulin sensitivity and adipokine concentrations in horses and ponies fed a high fat diet, with or without a once daily high glycaemic meal.

Abstract: The relative influences of obesity and adaptation to high glycaemic diets on the development of insulin dysregulation in equids are unclear. Objective: To determine whether increased adiposity per se is responsible for the decreased insulin sensitivity often observed in obese horses or whether a dietary glycaemic response is critically important. Methods: Randomised controlled trial. Methods: Eighteen horses and ponies were studied over a 20-week period. They received ad libitum hay plus either a high fat (low glycaemic) diet (FAT; n = 6) or a similar (isocaloric) diet containing 1.5 g/kg bwt once daily glucose (GLU; n = 6) to induce obesity. A third group received a control ration (CON; n = 6). Adiposity was monitored using body condition score (BCS) and total body fat mass percentage (TBFM) determined using a deuterium oxide dilution technique. Insulin sensitivity was assessed using a frequently sampled i.v. glucose tolerance test. Plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, leptin, adiponectin, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and serum amyloid A (SAA) were measured. Results: The FAT and GLU groups became obese (BCS ≥7) whereas the CON group maintained moderate condition (BCS ≤6). Total body fat mass and leptin concentrations were increased in the FAT and GLU groups than in the CON group (P<0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively). Values for both insulin-dependent (SI) and insulin-independent (Sg) glucose disposal were higher in the GLU group compared with the FAT and CON groups (P = 0.006 and P = 0.03, respectively). There were no differences in adiponectin, TNF-α or SAA between groups (all P≥0.4). Conclusions: Increased adiposity did not reduce insulin sensitivity in either the FAT or the GLU diet groups, suggesting that obesity per se might not be responsible for the lower SI values reported in previous studies. Contrary to expectations, once daily glucose appeared to increase insulin sensitivity. Further work is required into the dietary causes of insulin resistance in equids.
© 2015 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2015-05-13 PubMed ID: 25726948DOI: 10.1111/evj.12434Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study explores the impact of obesity and high-glycaemic diets on horses’ insulin regulation. The research found that increased body fat as a result of a high-fat diet didn’t significantly reduce insulin sensitivity, suggesting other factors may contribute to insulin dysregulation in equines.

Study Design and Methods

  • This experiment was a Randomised controlled trial, a type of scientific experiment known for producing high-quality evidence due to its design.
  • Held over a span of 20-weeks, 18 horses and ponies participated.
  • Three separate feedings were administered. The first was a high-fat low glycaemic diet (FAT), the second was the same but with added daily glucose (GLU), and the third acted as a control ration (CON).
  • Assessment of adiposity, which is the level of fat accumulation in the body, was done using body condition score (BCS) and total body fat mass percentage (TBFM) determined by deuterium oxide dilution technique.
  • Insulin sensitivity was gauged through a frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test.
  • Various plasma concentrations were measured including glucose, insulin, leptin, adiponectin, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and serum amyloid A (SAA).

Results of The Study

  • The FAT and GLU groups became obese while the CON group maintained a moderate condition.
  • Comparatively, total body fat mass and leptin concentrations were increased in the FAT and GLU groups than in the CON group.
  • The pace of glucose disposal, both insulin-dependent (SI) and insulin-independent (Sg), was higher in the GLU group compared to the FAT and CON groups, indicating an increased insulin sensitivity.
  • No substantial differences were noted in concentrations of adiponectin, TNF-α, or SAA across the groups.

Conclusions Drawn from the Study

  • The research reveals that increased adiposity did not lower insulin sensitivity in either group fed with high fat (FAT) diet or the diet with added daily glucose (GLU). This suggests that obesity itself might not lead to decreased insulin sensitivity as previously believed.
  • Additionally, surprisingly, a once-daily glucose intake seemed to enhance insulin sensitivity.
  • The research encourages further studies focusing on dietary causes of insulin resistance in horses and ponies.

Cite This Article

APA
Bamford NJ, Potter SJ, Harris PA, Bailey SR. (2015). Effect of increased adiposity on insulin sensitivity and adipokine concentrations in horses and ponies fed a high fat diet, with or without a once daily high glycaemic meal. Equine Vet J, 48(3), 368-373. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12434

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 48
Issue: 3
Pages: 368-373

Researcher Affiliations

Bamford, N J
  • Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia.
Potter, S J
  • Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia.
Harris, P A
  • Equine Studies Group, WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition, Melton Mowbray, UK.
Bailey, S R
  • Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia.

MeSH Terms

  • Adipokines / genetics
  • Adipokines / metabolism
  • Adiposity / drug effects
  • Adiposity / physiology
  • Animal Feed / analysis
  • Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
  • Animals
  • Blood Glucose
  • Diet / veterinary
  • Dietary Fats / administration & dosage
  • Dietary Fats / adverse effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Glycemic Index
  • Horses / metabolism
  • Insulin Resistance / physiology

Citations

This article has been cited 18 times.
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