Increase in visceral fat per se does not induce insulin resistance in the canine model.

Objectives: To determine whether a selective increase of visceral adipose tissue content will result in insulin resistance.

Methods: Sympathetic denervation of the omental fat was performed under general inhalant anesthesia by injecting 6-hydroxydopamine in the omental fat of lean mongrel dogs (n = 11). In the conscious animal, whole-body insulin sensitivity was assessed by the minimal model (SI ) and the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp (SICLAMP ).