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Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association2006; 228(9); 1383-1390; doi: 10.2460/javma.228.9.1383

Physical characteristics, blood hormone concentrations, and plasma lipid concentrations in obese horses with insulin resistance.

Abstract: To compare obese horses with insulin resistance (IR) with nonobese horses and determine whether blood resting glucose, insulin, leptin, and lipid concentrations differed between groups and were correlated with combined glucose-insulin test (CGIT) results. Methods: 7 obese adult horses with IR (OB-IR group) and 5 nonobese mares. Methods: Physical measurements were taken, and blood samples were collected after horses had acclimated to the hospital for 3 days. Response to insulin was assessed by use of the CGIT, and maintenance of plasma glucose concentrations greater than the preinjection value for > or = 45 minutes was used to define IR. Area under the curve values for glucose (AUC(g)) and insulin (AUC(i)) concentrations were calculated. Results: Morgan, Paso Fino, Quarter Horse, and Tennessee Walking Horse breeds were represented in the OB-IR group. Mean neck circumference and BCS differed significantly between groups and were positively correlated with AUC values. Resting insulin and leptin concentrations were 6 and 14 times as high, respectively, in the OB-IR group, compared with the nonobese group, and were significantly correlated with AUC(g) and AUC(i). Plasma nonesterified fatty acid, very low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations were significantly higher (86%, 104%, and 29%, respectively) in OB-IR horses, and HDL-C concentrations were positively correlated with AUC values. Conclusions: Measurements of neck circumference and resting insulin and leptin concentrations can be used to screen obese horses for IR. Dyslipidemia is associated with IR in obese horses.
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Publication Date: 2006-05-03 PubMed ID: 16649943DOI: 10.2460/javma.228.9.1383Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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 research paper explores the differences in physical attributes, blood hormone concentrations and plasma lipid levels in obese horses with insulin resistance compared to non-obese horses.

Objective and Methods

The objective of this research was to compare obese horses with insulin resistance with nonobese horses, to see if resting blood glucose, insulin, leptin, and lipid concentrations varied between the two groups. The study also sought to see if these physiological elements correlated with the results of the combined glucose-insulin test (CGIT).

The researchers used a sample of seven obese adult horses with insulin resistance (IR) and five nonobese mares. The physical measurements were taken, and blood samples were collected from these horses after they had acclimated to the hospital environment for three days. The response to insulin was assessed using the CGIT, and horses that maintained plasma glucose concentrations higher than the preinjection level for 45 minutes or longer were defined as insulin resistant.

Results

The group of insulin-resistant, obese horses comprised of different breeds – Morgan, Paso Fino, Quarter Horse, and Tennessee Walking Horse. The results showed significant differences in the mean neck circumference and body condition score (BCS) between the obese IR group and the non-obese group. Notably, these measurements were also found to be positively correlated with the area under the curve (AUC) values for glucose (AUCg) and insulin (AUCi) concentrations.

Resting insulin and leptin hormone levels were found to be significantly higher – 6 times and 14 times respectively– in the obese, insulin-resistant group compared to non-obese horses. These concentrations also showed a significant correlation with the AUCg and AUCi values. In terms of plasma lipids, plasma nonesterified fatty acid, very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations were revealed to be significantly higher in the obese, insulin-resistant horses. Of these, HDL-C concentrations were found to be positively correlated with AUC values.

Conclusion

The study suggests that measurements of neck circumference and resting insulin and leptin concentrations can serve as effective indicators to screen obese horses for insulin resistance. Furthermore, the study indicates that dyslipidemia, a condition characterized by abnormal amounts of lipids in the blood, is associated with insulin resistance in obese horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Frank N, Elliott SB, Brandt LE, Keisler DH. (2006). Physical characteristics, blood hormone concentrations, and plasma lipid concentrations in obese horses with insulin resistance. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 228(9), 1383-1390. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.228.9.1383

Publication

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
ISSN: 0003-1488
NlmUniqueID: 7503067
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 228
Issue: 9
Pages: 1383-1390

Researcher Affiliations

Frank, Nicholas
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA.
Elliott, Sarah B
    Brandt, Laura E
      Keisler, Duane H

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Area Under Curve
        • Blood Glucose / analysis
        • Case-Control Studies
        • Female
        • Hormones / blood
        • Horse Diseases / blood
        • Horse Diseases / pathology
        • Horses
        • Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use
        • Insulin / blood
        • Insulin / therapeutic use
        • Insulin Resistance
        • Leptin / blood
        • Lipid Metabolism
        • Lipids / blood
        • Male
        • Obesity / blood
        • Obesity / complications
        • Obesity / pathology
        • Obesity / veterinary

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