Abstract
Like in humans, diabetes mellitus is on the rise in cats. Feline diabetes is a suitable model for human type-2 diabetes. We investigated magnitude and timing of insulin suppression with induced hyperglycaemia and its relationship to plasma and urinary ketones and to pancreatic islet insulin. IGF-I is under discussion as a protective mechanism but little is known about its role in diabetes in general and its distinct localisation in feline pancreatic islets in particular. Thirteen healthy, adult cats were allocated to 2 groups and infused with glucose to maintain their blood glucose at a high or moderate concentration for 42days resulting in insulin secretion suppression. After initial increase, insulin levels declined to baseline but were still detectable in the blood at a very low level after 6weeks of glucose infusion and then increased after a 3week recovery period. While IGF-I in healthy cats was primarily located in glucagon cells, in hyperglycaemia-challenge IGF-I was pronounced in the β-cells 3weeks after ceasation of infusion. Six/8 cats developing glucose toxicity became ketonuric after 3-4weeks. Gross lipaemia occurred approx 1week prior to ketonuria. Ketonuric cats required 1-2weeks of insulin therapy after-infusion until β-cell recovery. In conclusion, ketosis and hyperlipidaemia are likely to occur in diabetic cats with glucose at 30mmol/L, especially after ⩾2weeks. Three weeks after ceasation of infusions, clinical and morphological recovery occurred. We propose a local protective effect of IGF-I to support survival and insulin production in the hyperglycaemic state and recovery period.
Link, Karl R J