Hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia in non-anaesthetized Göttingen minipigs induces a counter-regulatory endocrine response and electrocardiographic changes

Sci Rep. 2021 Mar 16;11(1):5983. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-84758-w.

Abstract

The potentially fatal cardiovascular effects of hypoglycaemia are not well understood and large animal models of the counter-regulatory responses and cardiovascular consequences of insulin-induced hypoglycaemia are needed to understand the mechanisms in humans. The aim of this study was to develop a human-like minipig model of hypoglycaemia including healthy and diabetic pigs to investigate endocrine, electrocardiographic and platelet effects. Hypoglycaemia was induced using a hyperinsulinaemic, hypoglycaemic clamp and an insulin bolus protocol. Plasma glucose, glucagon, C-peptide, insulin, epinephrine and platelet aggregation responses were measured before, during and after hypoglycaemia. Continuous electrocardiographic recordings were obtained. Hypoglycaemia at a plasma glucose concentration of 0.8-1.0 mM in the clamp induced 25-fold increase in epinephrine and sixfold and threefold increase in glucagon for healthy and diabetic pigs, respectively. The hypoglycaemic clamp induced QTc-interval prolongation and increase in cardiac arrhythmias. In the bolus approach, the non-diabetic group reached plasma glucose target of 1.5 mM and QTc-interval was prolonged after insulin injection, but before glucose nadir. The diabetic group did not reach hypoglycaemic target, but still demonstrated QTc-interval prolongation. These results demonstrate effects of hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia closely resembling human physiology, indicating the minipig as a translational animal model of counter-regulatory endocrine and myocardial effects of hypoglycaemia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Blood Glucose
  • Blood Platelets / metabolism
  • Blood Platelets / ultrastructure
  • Congenital Hyperinsulinism / complications*
  • Congenital Hyperinsulinism / veterinary*
  • Disease Management
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Disease Susceptibility
  • Electrocardiography
  • Endocrine System / metabolism
  • Heart Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Heart Diseases / etiology*
  • Platelet Aggregation
  • Platelet Function Tests
  • Swine
  • Swine Diseases / blood*
  • Swine Diseases / diagnosis
  • Swine, Miniature
  • Symptom Assessment

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Blood Glucose