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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Anim Sci / Insulin resistance and compensation in Thoroughbred weanling...
Journal of animal science2005; 83(10); 2357-2364; doi: 10.2527/2005.83102357x

Insulin resistance and compensation in Thoroughbred weanlings adapted to high-glycemic meals.

Abstract: Insulin resistance has been suggested to increase the risk of certain diseases, including osteochondrosis and laminitis. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of adaptation to high-glycemic meals on glucose-insulin regulation in healthy Thoroughbred weanlings. Twelve Thoroughbred foals were raised on pasture and supplemented twice daily with a feed high in either sugar and starch (SS; 49% nonstructural carbohydrates, 21% NDF, 3% crude fat on a DM basis) or fat and fiber (FF; 12% nonstructural carbohydrates, 44% NDF, 10% crude fat on a DM basis). As weanlings (age 199 +/- 5 d; BW 274 +/- 5 kg) the subjects underwent a modified frequently sampled i.v. glucose tolerance test. A series of 39 blood samples was collected from -60 to 360 min, with a glucose bolus of 300 mg/kg BW injected at 0 min and an insulin bolus of 1.5 mIU/kg BW at 20 min. All samples were analyzed for glucose and insulin, and basal samples also were analyzed for plasma cortisol, triglyceride, and IGF-I. The minimal model of glucose and insulin dynamics was used to determine insulin sensitivity (SI), glucose effectiveness, acute insulin response to glucose (AIRg), and disposition index (DI). Insulin sensitivity was 37% less (P = 0.007) in weanlings fed SS than in those fed FF; however, DI did not differ (P = 0.65) between diets because AIRg tended to be negatively correlated with SI (r = -0.55; P = 0.067). This finding indicates that the SI decrease was compensated by AIRg in the weanlings adapted to SS. This compensation was further demonstrated by greater insulin concentrations in SS-adapted weanlings compared with FF-adapted weanlings at 11 of 36 sample points (P < 0.055) and greater (P = 0.040) total area under the insulin curve in SS than in FF weanlings. Plasma cortisol and triglycerides did not differ between dietary groups, but IGF-I was greater (P = 0.001) in SS weanlings. Despite appearing healthy, horses adapted to high-glycemic feeds may exhibit changes in altered insulin sensitivity and compensation that increase the risk of diseases involving insulin resistance. These changes seem to be partially amenable to dietary management.
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Publication Date: 2005-09-15 PubMed ID: 16160047DOI: 10.2527/2005.83102357xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Comparative Study
  • 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.

The research investigates the effects of high-glycemic meals on insulin regulation in young Thoroughbred horses (weanlings), revealing that horses adapted to high-glycemic feeds may have decreased insulin sensitivity which can increase risk of certain diseases despite appearing healthy.

Study Design and Methodology

  • Twelve Thoroughbred foals were dosed with a high sugar and starch (SS) meal, or a high fat and fiber (FF) meal twice daily while they were also grazing. The nutrient content of these feeds was carefully calculated.
  • When these foals grew into weanlings (approximately 199 days old), they underwent a frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test.
  • The test included injecting a glucose bolus and, 20 minutes later, an insulin bolus. A series of 39 blood samples were collected during a period of 360 minutes.
  • All the blood samples were analyzed for glucose and insulin, and the basal samples also tested for cortisol, triglyceride and IGF-I hormones.

Results and Findings

  • The study found that the insulin sensitivity in weanlings fed the SS diet was 37% less than those on the FF diet.
  • However, the Disposition Index (DI), which measures how well the body compensates for the reduced insulin sensitivity, did not differ significantly between the two diets. This was indicated by a negative correlation between acute insulin response to glucose (AIRg) and insulin sensitivity (SI), suggesting that the decrease in SI in SS fed weanlings was compensated by an increase in AIRg.
  • The compensation was also indicated by higher insulin levels in SS weanlings, at eleven out of thirty-six sample points and greater total area under the insulin curve, indicating the total insulin secretion over time.
  • No differences were found in the plasma cortisol and triglycerides levels between the two dietary groups, but the insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) was significantly higher in SS weanlings.
  • The research concluded that young horses adapted to high-glycemic feed may show altered insulin sensitivity and compensating responses which might increase the risk of diseases related to insulin resistance.

Implications and Conclusion

  • The study suggests that despite appearing healthy, horses fed high-glycemic diets may undergo changes that increase their risk for diseases associated with insulin resistance.
  • These conditions appear to be partially manageable through alterations in dietary patterns, potentially offering a non-invasive way to reduce disease risk in young horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Treiber KH, Boston RC, Kronfeld DS, Staniar WB, Harris PA. (2005). Insulin resistance and compensation in Thoroughbred weanlings adapted to high-glycemic meals. J Anim Sci, 83(10), 2357-2364. https://doi.org/10.2527/2005.83102357x

Publication

Journal of animal science
ISSN: 1525-3163
NlmUniqueID: 8003002
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 83
Issue: 10
Pages: 2357-2364

Researcher Affiliations

Treiber, K H
  • Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, 24061-0306, USA. ktreiber@vt.edu
Boston, R C
    Kronfeld, D S
      Staniar, W B
        Harris, P A

          MeSH Terms

          • Animal Feed / analysis
          • Animals
          • Blood Glucose / analysis
          • Blood Glucose / metabolism
          • Diet / veterinary
          • Dietary Fats / administration & dosage
          • Dietary Fiber / administration & dosage
          • Dietary Sucrose / administration & dosage
          • Dietary Sucrose / metabolism
          • Female
          • Glucose Tolerance Test / veterinary
          • Glycemic Index
          • Horses / physiology
          • Insulin / blood
          • Insulin / metabolism
          • Insulin Resistance / physiology
          • Insulin Secretion
          • Male
          • Random Allocation
          • Starch / administration & dosage
          • Time Factors
          • Weaning

          Citations

          This article has been cited 16 times.
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