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Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Study of In Vivo Glucose Metabolism in High-fat Diet-fed Mice Using Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) and Insulin Tolerance Test (ITT)
Published on: January 7, 2018
Alcohol suppresses meal-induced insulin sensitization
W Wayne Lautt1, Dallas J Legare, Maria A G Reid
1Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Alcohol consumption with meals can suppress meal-induced insulin sensitization (MIS) in rats, acting through hepatic insulin sensitizing substance (HISS) pathways. This effect occurs at levels comparable to social drinking and can reverse developed insulin sensitivity.
Area of Science:
- Metabolism and Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Insulin's glucose-lowering effect in the fed state involves direct insulin action and a hepatic insulin sensitizing substance (HISS) acting on skeletal muscle.
- HISS-mediated insulin action is absent in a fasted state.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of alcohol consumption during a meal on meal-induced insulin sensitization (MIS).
Main Methods:
- Rats underwent a 24-hour fast, followed by anesthesia and insulin sensitivity testing (RIST).
- A liquid meal was administered with varying doses of ethanol (0, 0.125, 0.25, 1 mL/kg).
- Subsequent RISTs were performed, with atropine administered in some cases to assess HISS involvement.
Main Results:
- Co-administration of alcohol with a meal dose-dependently suppressed MIS.
- Atropine blocked MIS, confirming its reliance on HISS action.
- Ethanol (1 mL/kg) administered after MIS development completely reversed insulin sensitivity to fasting levels.
Conclusions:
- Meal-induced insulin sensitization (MIS) can be induced by gastric meal administration in rats.
- Alcohol consumption suppresses MIS in a dose-dependent manner and can reverse established MIS.
- The observed alcohol concentrations are relevant to social drinkers, and the effects are mediated via HISS.
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