Effect of a Glp-1 Mimetic on the Insulin Response to Oral Sugar Testing in Horses

Authors

Darko Stefanovski
Mary A Robinson
Andrew Van Eps

Publication Date

7-29-2022

Journal

BMC Veterinary Research

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Insulin dysregulation (ID) is the most important risk factor for the development of laminitis in horses and therapies to control it are needed.

HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of a single dose of the synthetic GLP-1 analog exenatide on postprandial insulin dynamics. We hypothesized that exenatide would improve insulin sensitivity and lower postprandial blood insulin concentrations.

STUDY DESIGN: Randomized, crossover, experimental study.

ANIMALS: Six horses (3 mares, 3 geldings; 2 with normal insulin regulation [NIR] and 4 with mild ID).

METHODS: Horses completed both study arms: subcutaneous administration of exenatide (or no treatment) 30 min before an oral sugar test (0.15 ml/kg of Karo Syrup). Blood samples obtained over 240 min were assayed for glucose, insulin, lactate, c-peptide and total GLP-1. The area under the curve (AUC) was calculated using the trapezoidal rule. Insulin sensitivity (S

RESULTS: Exenatide resulted in a postprandial decrease of 20% (effect size: 2673 µU·min/ml; 95% CI: 900 - 4446 µU·min/ml; P = 0.003) in AUC of plasma insulin (control; mean AUC insulin: 11,989 µU·min/ml; 95% CI: 9673 - 14,305 µU·min/ml, exenatide; mean AUC insulin: 9316 µU·min/ml; 95% CI: 7430 - 11,202 µU·min/ml). Exenatide resulted in an approximately threefold increase (effect size: 5.56 10

CONCLUSIONS: The decrease in insulin response to carbohydrates was due to an increase in whole-body insulin sensitivity. GLP-1 agonists may have therapeutic potential for ID in horses.

Keywords

Horse, Insulin dysregulation, Insulin sensitivity, Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS), Insulin secretion

Comments

PMID: 35906619