Hyperinsulinemic-Euglycemic Clamp in Conscious Rats Based on the Tail Artery and Vein Catheterization

Insulin sensitivity evaluation is very important in the management and investigation of type 1 diabetes. Hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp (HEC) is considered to be the "gold standard" method for the assessment of insulin sensitivity in vivo. Here, we describe the method of performing the hyperinsulinemic-glycemic clamp based on the tail artery and vein catheterization after administration of local anesthesia to the tail root in conscious rats. Insulin and glucose were infused via the tail vein, and blood samples for further determination were collected from the tail artery. This procedure makes the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp easier and more convenient to perform.