A circulatory model for the estimation of insulin sensitivity

Insulin sensitivity is commonly assessed by analysing intravenous glucose tests with a simple model, called the minimal model. However, the physiological meaning of the insulin sensitivity indices estimated using this model is not transparent. To overcome this problem, a circulatory model was developed to analyse intravenous glucose tests in which a tracer was injected together with glucose. Physiological parameters, such as glucose volume, clearance and production, were estimated. Insulin sensitivity was defined in terms of glucose clearance. The parameter values estimated in 5 normal subjects were in good agreement with the values reported in previous independent studies.