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Home / Equine Research Bank / Am J Vet Res / Effects of diet-induced weight gain on insulin sensitivity a...
American journal of veterinary research2009; 70(10); 1250-1258; doi: 10.2460/ajvr.70.10.1250

Effects of diet-induced weight gain on insulin sensitivity and plasma hormone and lipid concentrations in horses.

Abstract: To determine the effects of diet-induced weight gain on glucose and insulin dynamics and plasma hormone and lipid concentrations in horses. Methods: 13 adult geldings. Methods: Horses were fed 200% of their digestible energy requirements for maintenance for 16 weeks to induce weight gain. Frequently sampled IV glucose tolerance tests were performed before and after weight gain to evaluate glucose and insulin dynamics. Adiposity (assessed via condition scoring, morphometric measurements, and subcutaneous fat depth) and plasma concentrations of insulin, glucose, nonesterified fatty acids, triglycerides, and leptin were measured on a weekly or biweekly basis. Results: Mean + or - SD body weight increased by 20% from 440 + or - 44 kg to 526 + or - 53 kg, and body condition score (scale, 1 to 9) increased from 6 + or - 1 to 8 + or - 1. Plasma glucose, triglyceride, and nonesterified fatty acid concentrations were similar before and after weight gain. Leptin and insulin concentrations increased with weight gain. Mean + or - SD insulin sensitivity decreased by 71 + or - 28%, accompanied by a 408 + or - 201% increase in acute insulin response to glucose, which resulted in similar disposition index before and after weight gain. Conclusions: Diet-induced weight gain in horses occurred concurrently with decreased insulin sensitivity that was effectively compensated for by an increase in insulin secretory response. Obesity resulted in hyperinsulinemia and hyperleptinemia, compared with baseline values, but no changes in lipid concentrations were apparent. Preventing obesity is a potential strategy to help avoid insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, and hyperleptinemia in horses.
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Publication Date: 2009-10-03 PubMed ID: 19795940DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.70.10.1250Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • 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 examines the impact of diet-induced weight gain on insulin sensitivity, and plasma hormone and lipid levels in horses, revealing that weight gain leads to decreased insulin sensitivity and increased insulin and leptin concentrations. However, there were no observed changes in lipid concentrations.

Methodology

  • The researchers selected 13 adult gelding horses for the study.
  • The horses were fed 200% of their digestible energy requirements for maintenance over a 16-week period to induce weight gain.
  • To evaluate glucose and insulin dynamics, frequently sampled Intravenous (IV) Glucose Tolerance Tests were performed before and after the weight gain.
  • The team measured the horses’ adiposity (fatness) through condition scoring, morphometric measurements, and assessment of subcutaneous fat depth.
  • They also measured plasma concentrations of insulin, glucose, nonesterified fatty acids, triglycerides, and leptin on a weekly or biweekly basis.

Results

  • The average body weight of the horses increased by 20% over the study period.
  • The body condition score, indicating fatness, increased significantly suggesting the horses put on weight.
  • The measurements revealed that plasma glucose, triglyceride, and nonesterified fatty acid concentrations remained similar before and after weight gain.
  • However, the concentrations of leptin and insulin increased with weight gain suggesting a correlation.
  • Insulin sensitivity decreased substantially (by 71%), but a 408% increase in acute insulin response to glucose made up for it, resulting in a similar disposition index.

Conclusions

  • The results suggest that diet-induced weight gain in horses is associated with decreased insulin sensitivity.
  • This reduced insulin sensitivity was effectively compensated by an increased insulin secretory response. This could be seen as the body’s way of balancing the reduced sensitivity.
  • The weight gain also resulted in increased insulin and leptin concentrations compared to baseline values. This indicates a condition called hyperinsulinemia (high levels of insulin in the blood) and hyperleptinemia (excessively high levels of leptin).
  • Contrary to expectation, there were no changes in lipid concentrations apparent from the weight gain.
  • The researchers concluded that preventing obesity could be a strategy to avoid insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, and hyperleptinemia in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Carter RA, McCutcheon LJ, George LA, Smith TL, Frank N, Geor RJ. (2009). Effects of diet-induced weight gain on insulin sensitivity and plasma hormone and lipid concentrations in horses. Am J Vet Res, 70(10), 1250-1258. https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.70.10.1250

Publication

American journal of veterinary research
ISSN: 0002-9645
NlmUniqueID: 0375011
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 70
Issue: 10
Pages: 1250-1258

Researcher Affiliations

Carter, Rebecca A
  • Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA. Carterre@vet.upenn.edu
McCutcheon, L Jill
    George, Lindsey A
      Smith, Tracy L
        Frank, Nicholas
          Geor, Raymond J

            MeSH Terms

            • Adiposity
            • Animal Feed
            • Animals
            • Blood Glucose
            • Diet / veterinary
            • Eating
            • Horses / physiology
            • Insulin Resistance / physiology
            • Lipids / blood
            • Male
            • Time Factors
            • Weight Gain / physiology

            Citations

            This article has been cited 24 times.
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