Insulin Testing Service
InquiryOverview of Insulin
Insulin is a crucial regulator in human physiology, secreted by pancreatic β-cells, finely adjusted to the dynamic levels of blood glucose and fatty acids. It plays a vital role in maintaining glucose and lipid homeostasis. After a meal, blood glucose levels spike, which β-cells detect and respond to by releasing insulin proportionate to the glucose detected. Insulin interacts with receptors primarily on skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, and the liver, facilitating glucose entry for energy metabolism, fatty acid synthesis, and protein synthesis. However, when cells inadequately respond to insulin, preventing glucose from being used for energy, a series of metabolic disturbances occurs. Blood glucose levels rise, prompting the β-cells to produce more insulin, marking the onset of insulin resistance. In insulin resistance, β-cells increase insulin output in response to reduced glucose supply. If this state persists for months or years, the β-cells' excessive insulin production to counteract persistent glucose overload leads to exhaustion, further escalating blood glucose levels.
At Protheragen, our insulin testing provides crucial metabolic data, which informs the identification of therapeutic targets that regulate metabolic pathways, such as insulin sensitivity and glucose regulation. These targets guide the design and optimization of drug candidates, which are then rigorously evaluated for safety and efficacy in preclinical studies. | |
Targets for Developing Anti-Obesity Therapeutics
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Anti-Obesity Therapy Development
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Preclinical Studies of Anti-Obesity Therapeutics
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Fighting Obesity with Precision: Balance Your Insulin
- Insulin Level Test
We offer an advanced insulin testing service that helps in accurately measuring both free and total insulin levels. This service employs the chemiluminescent immunometric assay (IMA) method after extracting insulin, allowing us to differentiate between the fraction of insulin that is bound by antibodies and the free, biologically active insulin in the circulation
- C-peptide Detection
Since C-peptide is a peptide chain homologous to insulin, this test indirectly reflects the amount of endogenous insulin secretion. It plays a vital role in helping researchers distinguish between insulin resistance and β-cell dysfunction. Such discrimination is essential for accurate experimental design, data interpretation, and the formulation of effective research and development strategies.
- Insulin Resistance Analysis
Our service conducts the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) along with the insulin release test. This combined approach allows us to draw dynamic curves of blood glucose and insulin (or equivalent parameters in non-human models). Through the in-depth analysis of these curves, we diagnose insulin resistance (IR), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), or even detect early-stage diabetes-like states in the experimental subjects. This enables timely adjustments in research directions and the implementation of targeted intervention strategies.
- Insulin Sensitivity Measurement
We perform the gold-standard hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp technique as part of our service. This experiment directly quantifies the sensitivity of tissues such as the liver, muscles, and adipose tissue (or corresponding in vitro or in vivo models) to insulin, specifically their glucose uptake ability. It provides highly accurate information about how well the experimental systems respond to insulin, which is invaluable for understanding the underlying mechanisms of insulin action in research.
Workflow
Applications
- Our service can be used to quantify the degree of insulin resistance in obese individuals by our techniques, such as the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp.
- Our service can be applied to help in identifying potential therapeutic targets for anti-obesity drugs.
- Our service is useful for monitoring the efficacy of different interventions during obesity treatment.
Advantages
- We utilize state-of-the-art techniques like IMA and hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp for comprehensive insulin function assessment.
- We link insulin testing data to metabolic pathways (e.g., insulin sensitivity, glucose regulation) for precise target selection.
- Through C-peptide analysis and dynamic glucose-insulin curves, we help clients research states like insulin resistance (IR), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), or early-stage diabetes.
Publication Data
DOI: 10.1038/s41421-018-0016-3
Journal: Cell Discovery
Published: 2018
IF: 2.9
Result: The authors developed a non-radioactive stable isotope tracer method using [6,6-2H]glucose to quantitatively assess glucose metabolism in mice. They applied this technique to investigate insulin resistance in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice compared to regular diet (RD)-fed controls. Key findings included elevated plasma insulin levels, impaired insulin sensitivity (demonstrated by glucose and insulin tolerance tests), and increased hepatic glucose production (measured via pyruvate tolerance test) in HFD mice, highlighting the metabolic abnormalities linked to obesity and insulin dysfunction. The study integrated stable isotope tracer analysis with conventional metabolic assays to provide a comprehensive profile of insulin resistance and its pathophysiological mechanisms.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Which factors contribute to the development of insulin resistance?
- Excessive fructose consumption
- Increased free fatty acids
- Inactivity
- Chronic inflammation
- Gut microbiota dysbiosis
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What are insulin analogs, and how do they differ from human insulin?
Insulin analogs are genetically engineered versions of human insulin modified in amino acid structure to better mimic physiological insulin secretion and improve clinical outcomes.
At Protheragen, we empower Obesity Physiology and Biochemistry Analysis with precision insulin testing. Our services deliver essential metabolic data to guide your target identification, optimize drug candidates, and rigorously evaluate efficacy in preclinical studies, accelerating your fight against obesity with actionable insights. contact us to explore our services!
Reference
- Zhang, Y.; et al. Evaluation of insulin sensitivity by hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps using stable isotope-labeled glucose. Cell discovery. 2018, 4(1): 17. (CC BY 4.0)
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.