Summary
Development of glucose intolerance in genetically obese (fa/fa) rats was investigated.
Comparisons were made with lean (FA/?) control rats. Oral glucose tolerance tests
were performed in 7-8 weeks, 9-10 weeks, 12-13 weeks and 16-17 weeks old rats. Irrespectively
of age, the obese rats showed impaired glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity compared
with age-matched lean rats. While in FA/? rats only minor changes of glucose-stimulated
insulin secretion and glucose tolerance were observed with progression of age, glucose
intolerance in obese animals became more pronounced with aging. Obese rats older than
12-13 weeks showed no further progression of glucose intolerance. Glucose-stimulated
insulin secretion increased with aging, but basal insulinemia was unaffected. Hence,
we conclude that glucose intolerance and insulin resistance in genetically obese (fa/fa)
rats is almost completely developed with approximately 12 weeks.
Key words
Insulin Resistance - Obesity - Glucose Intolerance - OGTT - fa/fa Rats
