Hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp

The hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp, a gold standard in assessing insulin sensitivity for murine metabolic studies, involves intricate vascular catheterization. Catheters are skillfully implanted into the jugular and carotid arteries to facilitate insulin and glucose infusions. The jugular catheter enables systemic insulin delivery, while the carotid catheter permits blood sampling and glucose infusion. This dual-catheter approach allows precise control of insulin and glucose levels during the clamp, offering a direct measurement of tissue responsiveness to insulin. Vascular catheterisation in both jugular and carotid vessels enhances the accuracy and reliability of metabolic assessments, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of insulin sensitivity in the context of metabolic diseases like diabetes.

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The hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp can be further enhanced by incorporating isotopic tracers for detailed measurements of tissue glucose utilisation. Isotopic tracers, such as 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG), are infused alongside insulin and glucose, allowing researchers to quantify tissue-specific glucose uptake. Sampling from the carotid catheter provides real-time measurements of blood glucose labeled with the tracer. This innovative approach provides a dynamic and comprehensive assessment of tissue-specific glucose utilisation under insulin-stimulated conditions, offering valuable insights into the intricacies of metabolic processes.