Effect of a new oral antidiabetic drug HB 419 (Glibenclamide) on the plasma glucose and islet histology of two poikilotherms: Clarias batrachus and Uromastix hardwicki
Bhatt, S.D.; Gill, T.S.
Indian Journal of Experimental Biology 17(10): 1122-1126
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5189 PMID: 121105 Document Number: 146326
The effect of HB 419 (glibenclamide) was studied on the blood glucose level and histology of the islets of Langerhans of the fresh water fish C. batrachus, and the Indian sand lizard U. hardwicki. Both the species showed time and dose-dependent alterations in the parameters studied. No significant cumulative effect and discernible toxicity were seen in the drug administered animals. While the drug at 2.5 and 5.0 mg/kg body wt caused hypoglycemia in normal fish and the lizard, the peak plasma glucose-lowering activity was found to lie between 10 and 24 h. The drug was rather ineffective in the partially pancreatectomized animals. The light microscopical picture of the pancreatic islets of the treated animals presented slight to extensive necrobiotic changes in its cellular components. No synchrony in the modifications in the blood glucose level and cytopathologic effects could be observed. The .beta.-cell changes and the glucovariations in the species examined are similar to those reported for HB419 treated mammals. Therefore, the drug can safely be used in experimental studies aimed at the characterization of .beta.-cell physiology.