Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin, Nigeria
Owolabi, O.J., Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin, Nigeria; Omogbai, E.K., Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin, Nigeria
Background: Levcromakalim is a vasorelaxant used in the management of hypertension in diabetes mellitus. Thus, the effects of levcromakalim were investigated in streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats. Methods: Diabetes was induced in Wistar albino rats with a single injection of STZ (60mg/kg, i.p.) following chronic (4weeks) treatment with levcromakalim (75μg/kg per day). Rats were then divided into the following groups (n=5 in each group): (i) a normal saline (2 mL/kg)-treated group; (ii) a 5mg/kg glibenclamide-treated group; (iii) 350mg/kg metformin-treated group; and (iv) 5, 10, 20 and 40IU/kg insulin-treated groups. Rats were transferred to metabolic cages and the lipid profile, plasma and urine electrolytes and blood glucose levels were determined 24h after drug administration. Results: Levcromakalim treatment significantly reduced total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglyceride levels in diabetic rats (all P<0.05 compared with untreated diabetic rats). In addition, levcromakalim reduced plasma sodium, bicarbonate, and chloride levels, but increased urinary bicarbonate and chloride levels, in diabetic rats (all P<0.05 compared with untreated diabetic rats). Levcromakalim significantly inhibited the effects of glibenclamide, metformin, and low-dose (20IU/kg) insulin treatment in diabetic rats (all P<0.05). Only 40IU/kg insulin produced significant reductions in hyperglycemia in levcromakalim-treated diabetic rats. Conclusion: Levcromakalim induced resistance to glibenclamide, metformin, and low-dose insulin treatment in diabetic rats, leading to persistent hyperglycemia. However, reductions in LDL, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels following chronic levcromokalim treatment may decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease in diabetic rats. © 2012 Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine and Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.
bicarbonate; chloride; electrolyte; glibenclamide; glucose; high density lipoprotein cholesterol; insulin; lemakalim; low density lipoprotein cholesterol; metformin; potassium; sodium; streptozocin; triacylglycerol; animal experiment; animal model; article; chloride urine level; cholesterol blood level; controlled study; diabetes mellitus; electrolyte urine level; glucose blood level; hyperglycemia; insulin treatment; long term care; low drug dose; nonhuman; potassium urine level; priority journal; rat; sodium urine level; treatment duration; triacylglycerol blood level; urine bicarbonate level; Animals; Blood Glucose; Cromakalim; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; Electrolytes; Female; Lipids; Male; Potassium Channels; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Streptozocin
