The influence of insulin on the streptozotocin–induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: Streptozotocin (STZ)– induced diabetic rat is a most popular model for diabetic research. Restrict control of diabetes with insulin and poor control may have different effects on the diabetic animals. Methods: Twenty–six male Sprague–Dawley rats were intraperitoneally injected with STZ (60 mg/kg) to induce diabetes. The diabetic rats were divided into two groups: poorly controlled glucose group (4 U insulin per week, group 1) and strictly controlled glucose group (2–8 U insulin/day, depending on blood glucose level, group 2). Body weight (BW), blood glucose, and cataract were checked weekly. The level of VEGF of intraocular fluids was checked after sacrificed 4 months later. Results: The average of BW change from induction to sacrifice was loss 6.92% in group 1 and gain 30.62% in group 2. The incidence of obvious cataract was 46% in group 1 and 15% in group 2. The average level of VEGF was 105.03 pg/ml in group 1 and 41.03 pg/ml in group 2. Conclusions: Restrict control of diabetes with insulin can ensure the growth and prevent the complications of diabetic rats.

Keywords: diabetes • cataract • growth factors/growth factor receptors