title: Effect of macronutrients, age, and obesity on 6- and 24-h postprandial glucose metabolism in cats.
abstract: Obesity and age are risk factors for feline diabetes. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that age, long-term obesity, and dietary composition would lead to peripheral and hepatorenal insulin resistance, indicated by higher endogenous glucose production (EGP) in the fasted and postprandial state, higher blood glucose and insulin, and higher leptin, free thyroxine, and lower adiponectin concentrations. Using triple tracer-(2)H(2)O, [U-(13)C(3)] propionate, and [3,4-(13)C(2)] glucose infusion, and indirect calorimetry-we investigated carbohydrate and fat metabolic pathways in overnight-fasted neutered cats (13 young lean, 12 old lean, and 12 old obese), each fed three different diets (high protein with and without polyunsaturated fatty acids, and high carbohydrate) in a crossover design. EGP was lowest in fasted and postprandial obese cats despite peripheral insulin resistance, indicated by hyperinsulinemia. Gluconeogenesis was the most important pathway for EGP in all groups, but glycogen contributed significantly. Insulin and leptin concentrations were higher in old than in young lean cats; adiponectin was lowest in obese cats but surprisingly highest in lean old cats. Diet had little effect on metabolic parameters. We conclude that hepatorenal insulin resistance does not develop in the fasted or postprandial state, even in long-term obese cats, allowing the maintenance of euglycemia through lowering EGP. Glycogen plays a major role in EGP, especially in lean fasted cats, and in the postprandial state. Aging may predispose to insulin resistance, which is a risk factor for diabetes in cats. Mechanisms underlying the high adiponectin of healthy old lean cats need to be further explored.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, Athens, Georgia, USA. mhoenig@illinois.edu
authors.forename: Margarethe
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hoenig
authors.forename: Erin T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Jordan
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Glushka
authors.forename: Saskia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kley
authors.forename: Avinash
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Patil
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Waldron
authors.forename: James H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Prestegard
authors.forename: Duncan C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Ferguson
authors.forename: Shaoxiong
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Darin E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Olson
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*; D002415:Cats; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D007328:Insulin; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status / Q000502:physiology*; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism / Q000662:veterinary*; D019518:Postprandial Period
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D005947:Glucose