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Updated: Jun 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
Familial longevity is marked by enhanced insulin sensitivity.
Carolien A Wijsman1, Maarten P Rozing, Trea C M Streefland
1Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, the Netherlands.
Offspring of long-lived individuals exhibit improved glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity, suggesting a genetic link to healthy aging and reduced risk of age-related diseases.
Area of Science:
- Metabolic Health
- Aging Research
- Genetics of Longevity
Background:
- Insulin resistance is a key risk factor for age-related diseases.
- The Leiden Longevity study investigates genetic factors contributing to a long lifespan.
- Previous findings indicated better glucose tolerance in offspring of long-lived individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare insulin and glucose relationships in offspring of long-lived siblings versus controls.
- To quantify insulin action and whole-body insulin sensitivity using hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp.
- To explore potential genetic influences on metabolic health and longevity.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of nonfasted serum insulin and glucose levels in 1848 subjects.
- Two-step hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp in 24 subjects to measure insulin sensitivity.
- Statistical comparison of metabolic parameters between offspring and control groups, adjusted for covariates.
Main Results:
- Offspring showed a distinct relationship between insulin and glucose levels compared to controls.
- Higher glucose infusion rates were required in offspring during clamp studies, indicating enhanced insulin sensitivity.
- Insulin-mediated glucose disposal rate (GDR) was significantly higher in offspring (42.5 ± 2.7 vs. 33.2 ± 2.7 µmol kg⁻¹ min⁻¹).
- Suppression of endogenous glucose production and lipolysis did not differ between groups.
Conclusions:
- Offspring from long-lived siblings demonstrate enhanced peripheral glucose disposal.
- These findings suggest a potential genetic component to improved metabolic health in families with exceptional longevity.
- Further research is needed to identify the specific biomolecular mechanisms driving these benefits for healthy aging.
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