A bolus infusion of xylitol solution in the treatment of cow ketosis does not cause a surge in insulin secretion.

When a solution of xylitol was rapidly administered intravenously (bolus infusion) to healthy cattle or those with ketosis, different results were obtained. In healthy cattle, a temporary surge in insulin secretion was observed, whereas in ketotic cattle no such surge was found, but instead a moderate level of secretion continued for a lengthy period. No significant difference in the areas under the insulin curve (AUC) was found between healthy cattle and ketotic cattle up to 120 min after xylitol infusion. These results clearly demonstrated that a bolus infusion of xylitol solution in ketotic cattle does not cause a temporary surge in insulin secretion unlike in healthy animals, but rather results in a continuous, gradual rise in secretion.