Ablation of capsaicin-sensitive afferent nerves affects insulin response during an intravenous glucose tolerance test

Higher glucose concentration resulted in a greater insulin response in both capsaicin- and vehicle-treated rats. However, glucose-stimulated insulin secretion was attenuated in capsaicin-treated animals, even though glucose levels did not differ. Glucagon levels did not differ between both groups. These results show that capsaicin-sensitive nerves are involved in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, but are not directly involved in the regulation of blood glucose levels. Moreover, they suggest that capsaicin-sensitive nerves could be involved in the regulation of insulin sensitivity. We hypothesize that sensory afferents could play a role in the aetiology of pathologies where glucohomeostatic mechanisms are disturbed, as is in type 2 diabetes mellitus.