In vivo techniques for assessment of insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism

Margaret K Hahn; Adria Giacca; Sandra Pereira

doi:10.1530/JOE-23-0308

In vivo techniques for assessment of insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism

J Endocrinol. 2024 Jan 31;260(3):e230308. doi: 10.1530/JOE-23-0308. Print 2024 Mar 1.

Authors

Margaret K Hahn^{1

2

3

4

5}, Adria Giacca^{2

5

6}, Sandra Pereira^{1

6}

Affiliations

¹ Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
² Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
³ Department of Pharmacology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
⁴ Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
⁵ Banting & Best Diabetes Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
⁶ Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Abstract

Metabolic tests are vital to determine in vivo insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism in preclinical models, usually rodents. Such tests include glucose tolerance tests, insulin tolerance tests, and glucose clamps. Although these tests are not standardized, there are general guidelines for their completion and analysis that are constantly being refined. In this review, we describe metabolic tests in rodents as well as factors to consider when designing and performing these tests.

Keywords: glucose metabolism; glucose tolerance; insulin sensitivity; whole animal physiology.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Blood Glucose / metabolism
Glucose Clamp Technique
Glucose Tolerance Test
Humans
Insulin / metabolism
Insulin Resistance*

Substances

Blood Glucose
Insulin