A reduced sampling schedule for estimating the parameters of the glucose minimal model from a labeled IVGTT.

The minimal model of tracer glucose disappearance allows the measurement in man of important metabolic parameters from a labeled IVGTT (intravenous glucose tolerance test). Usually 30 blood samples are drawn to measure the insulin and the labelled glucose concentration time courses, which provide the data base for the model identification. In this paper, we address the problem of reducing the number of blood samples withdrawn without, however, deteriorating parameter estimation. By using a stepwise approach, largely based on optimal experiment design theory, we have derived a reliable reduced sampling schedule, which comprises only 14 total samples. The practical application of this reduced schedule has been validated by applying it in a new set of human experiments, completely independent of the ones used in the design phase.