ASSESSING INSULIN SENSITIVITY IN THE CAT - EVALUATION OF THE HYPERINSULINEMIC EUGLYCEMIC CLAMP AND THE MINIMAL MODEL ANALYSIS

Current methods of assessing glucose tolerance in the cat are inadequa te for quantifying insulin sensitivity. The hyperinsulinemic euglycemi c clamp (EGC) and the minimal model analysis (MMA) of the frequently s ampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIGT) have been used in ot her species to assess the effects of insulin on glucose homeostasis. E ach of these procedures was per formed on healthy cats, two weeks apar t, to generate indices of insulin sensitivity - M/I (amount of glucose metabolised per unit of plasma insulin concentration) from the EGC an d S-I (insulin sensitivity) from the MMA. Close and significant correl ation between M/I and S-I in individual cats was found (r = 0.91, P = 0.032). Use of these research methods may further our understanding of feline diabetes mellitus and other endocrinopathies.