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Revised QUICKI provides a strong surrogate estimate of insulin sensitivity when compared with the minimal model

International Journal of Obesity volume 28, pages 222–227 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To compare insulin sensitivity (Si) from a frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIGT) and subsequent minimal model analyses with surrogate measures of insulin sensitivity and resistance and to compare features of the metabolic syndrome between Caucasians and Indian Asians living in the UK.

SUBJECTS: In all, 27 healthy male volunteers (14 UK Caucasians and 13 UK Indian Asians), with a mean age of 51.2±1.5 y, BMI of 25.8±0.6 kg/m2 and Si of 2.85±0.37.

MEASUREMENTS: Si was determined from an FSIGT with subsequent minimal model analysis. The concentrations of insulin, glucose and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) were analysed in fasting plasma and used to calculate surrogate measure of insulin sensitivity (quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), revised QUICKI) and resistance (homeostasis for insulin resistance (HOMA IR), fasting insulin resistance index (FIRI), Bennetts index, fasting insulin, insulin-to-glucose ratio). Plasma concentrations of triacylglycerol (TAG), total cholesterol, high density cholesterol, (HDL-C) and low density cholesterol, (LDL-C) were also measured in the fasted state. Anthropometric measurements were conducted to determine body-fat distribution.

RESULTS: Correlation analysis identified the strongest relationship between Si and the revised QUICKI (r=0.67; P=0.000). Significant associations were also observed between Si and QUICKI (r=0.51; P=0.007), HOMA IR (r=−0.50; P=0.009), FIRI and fasting insulin. The Indian Asian group had lower HDL-C (P=0.001), a higher waist–hip ratio (P=0.01) and were significantly less insulin sensitive (Si) than the Caucasian group (P=0.02).

CONCLUSION: The revised QUICKI demonstrated a statistically strong relationship with the minimal model. However, it was unable to differentiate between insulin-sensitive and -resistant groups in this study. Future larger studies in population groups with varying degrees of insulin sensitivity are recommended to investigate the general applicability of the revised QUICKI surrogate technique.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the Food Standards Agency (FSA) who provided funding for this research. We also thank Dr John Wright who cannulated and infused all the volunteers with glucose and insulin on the insulin sensitivity study days and Kangmei Ren who helped with the minimal model analysis. Finally, we thank the volunteers who gave up their time to participate in this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Food Biosciences, The University of Reading, UK

    L M Brady, S S Lovegrove, C M Williams & J A Lovegrove

  2. School of Health Related Professions, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA

    B A Gower

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Correspondence to J A Lovegrove.

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Brady, L., Gower, B., Lovegrove, S. et al. Revised QUICKI provides a strong surrogate estimate of insulin sensitivity when compared with the minimal model. Int J Obes 28, 222–227 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0802547

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