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Unpredictable feeding impairs glucose tolerance in growing lambs
Anne L Jaquiery1, Mark H Oliver, Nina Landon-Lane
1Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. a.jaquiery@auckland.ac.nz
Plos One
|April 25, 2013
Summary
Irregular eating patterns negatively impact glucose metabolism in young lambs, impairing insulin response even with normal weight gain. This suggests unpredictable feeding is a risk factor for metabolic dysfunction in growing animals.
Area of Science:
- Metabolic Physiology
- Animal Nutrition
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Irregular eating is linked to insulin resistance and metabolic disease in adults.
- The effects on young, growing children may differ, necessitating research in juvenile models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the metabolic effects of unpredictable feeding schedules in juvenile lambs.
- To determine if irregular feeding impacts glucose metabolism and insulin response in a growing animal model.
Main Methods:
- Juvenile lambs were assigned to either a control group with regular feeding or an unpredictable feeding group for six weeks.
- Intravenous glucose tolerance tests (IVGTT) and insulin tolerance tests (ITT) were performed before and after the intervention.
- Diurnal plasma cortisol concentrations were also measured.
Main Results:
- Weight gain was comparable between groups.
- The unpredictable feeding group showed a 20% increase in glucose area under the curve (AUC) post-intervention (p<0.0001).
- An inadequate insulin response to glucose load was observed in the unpredictable group (p=0.03), while insulin tolerance and cortisol levels remained unchanged.
Conclusions:
- Unpredictable feeding impairs glucose metabolism and insulin response in growing lambs, irrespective of weight gain.
- Irregular eating habits may be a remediable risk factor for disordered glucose metabolism in juvenile populations.
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