The Effect Of Nifedipine On Oral Glucose Induced Glycaemic Changes In Normal Albino Rats

Abstract

Aims: To determine effect of nifedipine on blood glucose levels through oral glucose tolerance test in normoglycemic albino Rats and  magnitude of its effect on basal v/s glucose induced glycemic value. Methods: Normal  adult  albino  rats  of  either  sex  weighing  between  150 – 200g were  randomly  divided  into 2 groups(n=6);  Control(distilled water-1ml/rat) and  Test(nifedipine-1.5mg/kg BW)  and  the  respective  drug  given  orally  for  3  days. They were  fasted  overnight  but with  water  before  the  3^rd  day. On  the  3^rd  day,  2 hours  after  the  last  drug  dose , OGTT  was  performed  with  glucose  0.6g/kg BW. Results:The  average  CBG  of  the  nifedipine  group  was  higher  compared  to   control  group  at  60,  120  and  150  minutes  progressively  with  maximum  hyperglycaemia (CBG 37.98% )  at  60  minutes  after  glucose  administration. Conclusion: Nifedipine worsens glycaemic control in normal rats at all hours of glucose challenge. Extending this observation in  human beings with  overt diabetes mellitus/ high risk diabetics/ prediabetics, it is suggested to limit the use of nifedipine in situations unless absolutely necessary since it induces hyperglycaemia even in normoglycaemic rats by a postulated mechanism of inhibition of both basal and glucose induced insulin secretion significantly.