Increase in visceral fat <i>per se</i> does not induce insulin resistance in the canine model | CU Experts

ObjectivesTo determine whether a selective increase of visceral adipose tissue content will result in insulin resistance.MethodsSympathetic denervation of the omental fat was performed under general inhalant anesthesia by injecting 6‐hydroxydopamine in the omental fat of lean mongrel dogs (n = 11). In the conscious animal, whole‐body insulin sensitivity was assessed by the minimal model (SI) and the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp (SICLAMP). Changes in abdominal fat were monitored by magnetic resonance. All assessments were determined before (Wk0) and 2 weeks (Wk2) after denervation. Data are medians (upper and lower interquartile).ResultsDenervation of omental fat resulted in increased percentage (and content) of visceral fat [Wk0: 10.2% (8.5‐11.4); Wk2: 12.4% (10.4‐13.6); P < 0.01]. Abdominal subcutaneous fat remained unchanged. However, no changes were found in SI [Wk0: 4.7 (mU/l)−1 min−1 (3.1‐8.8); Wk2: 5.3 (mU/l)−1 min−1 (4.5‐7.2); P = 0.59] or SICLAMP [Wk0: 42.0 × 10−4 dl kg−1 min−1 (mU/l)−1 (41.0‐51.0); Wk2: 40.0 × 10−4 dl kg−1 min−1 (mU/l) −1 (34.0‐52.0); P = 0.67].ConclusionsDespite a selective increase in visceral adiposity in dogs, insulin sensitivity in vivo did not change, which argues against the concept that accumulation of visceral adipose tissue contributes to insulin resistance.

Castro AVB; Woolcott OO; Iyer MS; Kabir M; Ionut V; Stefanovski D; Kolka CM; Szczepaniak LS; Szczepaniak EW; Asare‐Bediako I

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