Association of hypertriglyceridemia with insulin resistance in healthy Miniature Schnauzers

To determine whether hypertriglyceridemia in Miniature Schnauzers is associated with insulin resistance.

Case-control study.

28 Miniature Schnauzers with hypertriglyceridemia and 31 Miniature Schnauzers for which serum triglyceride concentrations were within the reference range (control dogs).

All dogs had no history of chronic disease, were free of clinical signs for at least 3 months prior to blood collection, and were not receiving any medications known to affect lipid metabolism or serum insulin concentration. Food was withheld from each dog for ≥ 12 hours; a 5- to 10-mL blood sample was collected and allowed to clot to obtain serum. Serum insulin and glucose concentrations were measured, and the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) score was calculated (ie, [basal serum insulin concentration {mU/L} × basal serum glucose concentration {mmol/L}]/22.5).

Median serum insulin concentration was significantly higher in hypertriglyceridemic Miniature Schnauzers (21.3 mU/L) than it was in control dogs (12.5 mU/L). The percentage of dogs with high serum insulin concentrations was significantly greater in the hypertriglyceridemic group (28.6%) than it was in the control group (6.5%; odds ratio, 5.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.1 to 30.2). Median HOMA score for hypertriglyceridemic Miniature Schnauzers (4.9) was significantly higher than that for control dogs (2.8).

Results indicated that hypertriglyceridemia in Miniature Schnauzers is often associated with insulin resistance. Further studies are needed to determine the prevalence and clinical importance of insulin resistance in hypertriglyceridemic Miniature Schnauzers.