AJP - Endocrinology and Metabolism, Vol 256, Issue 4 E524-E535, Copyright © 1989 by American Physiological Society
Alternative method for minimal model analysis of intravenous glucose tolerance data
K. M. Weber, I. K. Martin, J. D. Best, F. P. Alford and R. C. Boston
Animal Research Institute, Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Werribee, Australia.
The minimal models of glucose-insulin kinetics were used to analyze sets of
data obtained from human subjects and dogs during frequently sampled
intravenous glucose tolerance tests (FSIGTs). Analysis of some data sets
from both species resulted in poor identification of parameters. To improve
the parameter resolution, the information base on which the parameters are
estimated was enlarged. This was accomplished by incorporating into the
analysis 1) glucose data obtained between 0 and 8 min of the FSIGT and some
of the insulin data obtained prior to the insulin peak and 2) a second set
of FSIGT data for each individual obtained during a physiological
perturbation. As a result, data analysis was considerably enhanced, with
parameter fractional standard deviation being routinely reduced to less
than 0.5. Analysis of stimulated data with noise levels for glucose and
insulin set between 0.05 and 0.15 confirmed the improvement in parameter
estimates. This modified approach to analysis of FSIGTs therefore
consistently leads to well-defined kinetic descriptions of experimental
data in various situations and supports the usefulness of the minimal model
in examining the complex interplay between the parameters that influence
overall glucose tolerance.
