Abstract
BackgroundThe enteroinsular axis (EIA) comprises intestinal factors (incretins) that stimulate insulin release after PO ingestion of nutrients. Glucose‐dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) are the main incretins. The EIA has not been investigated in healthy neonatal foals but should be important because energy demands are high in healthy foals and dysregulation is frequent in sick foals.Objectives and HypothesisTo evaluate the EIA response to carbohydrates or fasting in newborn foals. We hypothesized that incretin secretion would be higher after PO versus IV carbohydrate administration or fasting.AnimalsThirty‐six healthy Standardbred foals ≤4 days of age.MethodsProspective study. Blood was collected before and after a PO glucose test (OGT; 300, 500, 1000 mg/kg), an IV glucose test (IVGT; 300, 500, 1000 mg/kg), a PO lactose test (OLT; 1000 mg/kg), and fasting. Foals were muzzled for 240 minutes. Blood was collected over 210 minutes glucose, insulin, GIP, and GLP‐1 concentrations were measured.ResultsOnly PO lactose caused a significant increase in blood glucose concentration (P < .05). All IV glucose doses induced hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia. Concentrations of GIP and GLP‐1 decreased until foals nursed (P < .05), at which time rapid increases in glucose, insulin, GIP, and GLP‐1 concentrations occurred (P < .05).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceHealthy newborn foals have a functional EIA that is more responsive to milk and lactose than glucose. Non‐carbohydrate factors in mare's milk may be important for EIA activity. Constant exposure of intestinal cells to nutrients to maintain EIA activity could be relevant to management of sick foals. Foals can be fasted for 4 hours without experiencing hypoglycemia.
Highlights
The enteroinsular axis (EIA) comprises intestinal factors that stimulate insulin release after PO ingestion of nutrients
Considering that energy disturbances and gastrointestinal disorders are common in critically ill foals, but information on intestinal factors that regulate pancreatic endocrine function is lacking, our goal was to investigate the response of the EIA (GIP, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and insulin) in healthy newborn foals exposed to both PO and IV glucose, PO lactose, and fasting
In our study, using PO and IV dextrose, PO lactose, and fasting, we documented that healthy equine neonates have a functional EIA
Summary
The enteroinsular axis (EIA) comprises intestinal factors (incretins) that stimulate insulin release after PO ingestion of nutrients. Incretins are secreted by enteroendocrine cells (GIP by K cells in the small intestine; GLP-1 by L cells in the distal small intestine and colon) in response to the PO intake of nutrients (carbohydrates, fats, and amino acids). Considering that energy disturbances and gastrointestinal disorders are common in critically ill foals, but information on intestinal factors that regulate pancreatic endocrine function is lacking, our goal was to investigate the response of the EIA (GIP, GLP-1, and insulin) in healthy newborn foals exposed to both PO and IV glucose, PO lactose, and fasting. Understanding the biology of the EIA in healthy foals could have clinical implications in the management of foals with energy dysregulation and gastrointestinal disease
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