EFFECTIVE DOSE OF STREPTOZOTOCIN FOR INDUCTION OF DIABETES MELLITUS AND ASSOCIATED MORTALITY RATE IN WISTAR ALBINO RATS

Abstract

Background: To understand severity and complications of diabetes mellitus and to analyze effects of drugs,
it is necessary to create diabetic animal model. There are different doses of streptozotocin to induce diabetes
mellitus in rats that may be associated with mortality or may be insufficient for induction of DM. The objective
of our study was to optimize the dose of streptozotocin to create a diabetic animal model with sustained
hyperglycemia and to document the toxic dose at which there may be high mortality rate.
Methods: This experimental animal study was conducted at animal house, faculty of pharmacy Ziauddin
University Karachi in April 2019. The sample size included 30 albino wistar rats divided into five Groups A, B, C,
D and E “with 6 rats each group”. Group A was the control, while streptozotocin at different concentrations
was administered intraperitoneally in Group B, C, D and E respectively. Blood sample was drawn from lateral
tail vein of animals and hyperglycemic profile was checked on 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th and 10th day.
Results: When compared to control Group A, hyperglycemic profile (blood glucose level >180) was
achieved in Group B, C, D and E after 48 hours. High mortality rate was observed in Group E followed by
Group D. Group C had persistent hyperglycemia while Group B had reversible hyperglycemic profile.
Conclusion: Intraperitoneal dose of streptozotocin 60 mg/kg created diabetic animal model with persistent
hyperglycemia. However, dose above increased the mortality rate and below failed to create diabetic
animal model.