Animal Metabolic Physiology Core Research Services

About Our Core Research Services

Consultation on Animal models on insulin resistance (dietary, genetics).
Glucose homeostasis: glucose tolerance tests (GTT), insulin tolerance tests (ITT)
Lipid homeostasis: lipid tolerance test, hepatic VLDL production
In vivo measurement of glucose uptake in adipose tissues and muscle (Terminal study)
In vivo lipogenesis in adipose tissues and liver (Terminal study)
Body composition: DEXA analysis of body fat or bone density, carcass hydrolysis (terminal study)
In vivo lipolysis
Signaling studies in response to injections of insulin, and leptin (Terminal study)- Experimental design and consultation.
Measurement of hormone and metabolite concentrations – timing, stimulation, feeding status
Euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp studies- Experimental design and consultation only.
Measurement of food intake in response to administration of orexigenic and anorexigenic agents

Glucose transport and metabolism studies in isolated adipocytes or adipose explants. Insulin dose response (glucose transport, glucose utilization, lipolysis).
Insulin or leptin signaling in isolated adipocytes – dose response.
Isolation of adipocytes – counting the number and cell size distribution of adipocytes using our new coulter counter equipped with a multisizer (number and size of cells are determined on the same sample at the same time).
Glucose transport in EDL and Soleus muscle. Insulin dose response.
Insulin signaling in EDL and Soleus muscle– dose response.
Preparation and culture of primary rat and mouse pancreatic islets – Consultation, hands on training and protocols to obtain pancreatic islets, culture them and measure glucose-stimulated insulin release. The latter can also be used to assess quality of islet preparation.
Preparation and culture of primary mouse hepatocytes – Consultation, hands on training and protocols to obtain primary hepatocytes, culture them and measure glucose production in response to glucagon and insulin. The latter can also be used to assess quality of hepatocyte preparation.

Measurement of hormones and metabolites in plasma/serum of mice, rat or human subjects (Elisa, RIA, WB).
Hormones: Insulin, leptin, adiponectin, resistin, RBP4, TTR.
Metabolites: Glucose, free fatty acids, triglycerides, cholesterol.
For measurement of other hormones or metabolites, contact Dr Peroni
Insulin signaling: PI-3 kinase, Akt, GSK3, p70s6 kinase, MAP kinase, glycogen synthase activation; phosphorylation of insulin receptor and IRSs.
Leptin signaling: phosphorylation of Jaks, stats, AMP kinase, MAP kinase, acetyl-coA carboxylase, p70S6 kinase phosphorylation.
Enzyme activity assays: AMP Kinase immune complex assay, Glucose 6-Phosphatase
Tissue glycogen or lipid content.

Dissection of adipose tissues, brown adipose tissues, liver, kidney, heart, pectoralis muscle and leg muscle (tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius, EDL and Soleus)
Placement of intravenous (jugular) catheter for direct delivery of hormones and compounds directly in blood stream
Subcutaneous implantation of osmotic minipumps
Subcutaneous white adipose tissue biopsy
Subcutaneous white adipose tissue transplantation
Formalin perfusion for in situ tissue fixation