Hello! From what I can asses based on this article (http://dmd.aspetjournals.org/content/28/2/155.long), "Generally, when treating type I diabetics, the clinical dose of HI is 1 U/kg b.wt." and "In the rats, the selected doses were slightly higher on a weight basis because rats are more tolerable to the insulin-induced hypoglycemia". However, I was not able to find a good (and free full text) article that could serve as a comprehensive guide for insulin administration in a rat model. Any ideas?
Tommy,
Dose of insulin depends on many factor:
1. Type of diabetes
2. Specific strain of rat and the degree of diabetes (for example, islet destruction by 50mg/kg STZ used in the citation listed by Mehran (above post) is insufficient to destroy all beta cells.
3. Weight of animal
4. The type of insulin in use (some variants have longer half-life than normal insulin).
Hi Tommy,
As you know the diabetic rats are more tolerant to insulin. in some cases insulin at the dose of 10U/rat ! is not sufficient. In my experience, 6U/day (for example 2U at 8:00 AM and 4U at 5:00 PM) had acceptable results. You can see more details in the attached articles as well as my papers.
Good luck,
Tommy,
Dose of insulin depends on many factor:
1. Type of diabetes
2. Specific strain of rat and the degree of diabetes (for example, islet destruction by 50mg/kg STZ used in the citation listed by Mehran (above post) is insufficient to destroy all beta cells.
3. Weight of animal
4. The type of insulin in use (some variants have longer half-life than normal insulin).
Mehran,
The publication you cited could have been useful but unfortunately you do not include the body weight of your animals. You do provide change in body weight but that alone without the total weight has little meaning... unless, in my quick read I missed the information.
Dr.Tausif Alam,
Thank you for the thoughtful comment. I agree with you.But, in my experience based on glucose checking (per hour) results of STZ-induced diabetic rats (Wistar or Sprague) insulin treatment twice per day (6-8 U) had acceptable results and maintained their glucose levels about 100-130. I think rodents are more tolerant to insulin and i could not induce hypoglycemic condition in STZ or Alloxan induced rats by insulin injection up to 10, 12 and 15 U per rat.
Sincerely,
Mehran
Hello Dee,
Currently, insulin administration in research animals is done to comply with guidelines set by animal welfare authorities and usually depends upon the habits and means of the different laboratories. The continuous insulin delivery by pumps restored normoglycaemia in the experimental work attached here.The dose loaded into the pump allowed for a 30-day release of 4 IU/day, according to the technical description furnished by the supplier. Diluted Insuman (120 IU in buffer solution used for insulin pumps (Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH, Frankfurt am Main, Germany) was loaded into the pumps, which were set at a pumping rate of 2-3 μL/h to allow delivery of about 4.3 IU/day of insulin.
Please go through this latest publication on the impact of the type of Continuous Insulin Administration on metabolism in a Diabetic Rat Model.
Mehran,
No one is doubting your personal experience but you seem to be missing the point I have tried to make -
Dear Tommy
I have not any good reference about your question but, as in humans, insulin dose will depend on the degree of glucose control you need. In my (short) experience, a single daily dose of 5-6 IU of NPH insulin may be enought for survival in a "normal" adult Wistar rat. If you wish a tighter control greater doses will be needed
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