Insulin resistance induced by sucrose feeding in rats is due to an impairment of the hepatic parasympathetic nerves

A considerable proportion of whole-body insulin-stimulated glucose uptake is dependent upon the hepatic insulin-sensitising substance (HISS) in a pathway mediated by the hepatic parasympathetic nerves (HPNs). We tested the hypothesis that a high-sucrose diet leads to the impairment of the HPN-dependent component of insulin action. We quantified insulin sensitivity using the rapid insulin sensitivity test, a modified euglycaemic clamp. Quantification of the HPN-dependent component was achieved by administration of a muscarinic receptor antagonist (atropine, 3 mg/kg). Insulin sensitivity was higher in standard-fed than in sucrose-fed Wistar rats (305.6+/-34.1 vs 193.9+/-13.7 mg glucose/kg body weight; p