Animal Model for Hypoglycemic Studies Using Albino Rats

Introduction: It could be speculated that hypoglycemia increases level of serum α-amylase and α-glucosidase and their corresponding mRNA, with concomitant increase in plasma level of glucagon. However, the concept of developing hypoglycemic rats’ model is associated with number of hitches.

Aim: To successfully induce and sustain hypoglycemia in albino rats using ethanol.

Methodology: Total of twenty four (24) rats used for the study were grouped into four (4) of six (6) rats each. Group I served as normal control, group II, III and IV were respectively administered with single dose of 250, 500 and 750 mg/kg body weight of ethanol and observed for 72 hours. Blood glucose was monitored at 0, 30 mins, 1 hr, 2 hrs, 24 hrs, 48 hrs and 72 hours using glucometer.

Results: within 30 minutes of ethanol administration, a significant (p<0.05) decrease in fasting blood glucose level of group II, III, and IV was observed compared to group I, with no significant weight decrease (P>0.05) among groups. Toxicity studies however show damages to vital organs (liver, kidney and pancreas) which could be associated with ethanol administration in a dose dependent pattern.

Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that oral administration of ethanol at 250 mg/kg body weight to experimental rats can aggravates and maintain hypoglycemia with mild toxicity to the vital organs, it may therefore be concluded that 250 mg/kg body weight of ethanol could be used in maintaining an ideal hypoglycemic rat model as research tool.