title: The effect of carvedilol on blood glucose levels in normal albino rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Carvedilol is a commonly used drug in hypertension, congestive heart failure in diabetics. It has moderate calcium channel blocking property in addition to α1 and non selective β antagonistic activity. Though some studies bring forth the beneficial effects of Carvedilol in cardiovascular comorbidities in diabetes, there is no consensus on its effects on glycaemic levels.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of oral Carvedilol administration for 5 days on blood glucose levels in normal albino rats through Oral Glucose Tolerance Test.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve adult albino rats of either sex weighing between 150 - 200 g were selected from central animal facility and randomly divided into 2 groups - Control [Distilled water (1ml/rat orally)] and Test (0.8mg/kg body weight orally) and the respective drugs were administered over 5 days. Following overnight fasting, on the fifth day 1 hour after the last dose of the respective drug, OGTT was performed. The CBG (Capillary Blood Glucose) levels were measured at 0 min, glucose (2g/kg body weight) dissolved in water was administered to all the rats orally. The blood sample from tail vein (obtained by tail snipping) at 60 and 150 minutes were analysed for CBG levels using a standardized glucometer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data was presented as Mean ± SEM. One way ANOVA, independent samples t-test, non-parametric tests, percentages and cross tabs were used in the analysis of data within the same group and between different groups when required.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Carvedilol group showed higher CBG levels at all time intervals of OGTT as compared to the Control group i.e., 0, 60 and 150 minutes, the highest being (103.8±5.029 )mg/dl at 60 minutes and was statistically significant. Carvedilol group however showed lesser inter-interval variation compared to the Control group at the same time intervals respectively but was statistically insignificant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Carvedilol has hyperglycaemic potential when given orally for 5 days in normal albino rats. Though it may be beneficial in diabetics for various comorbid conditions, the glycaemic control may worsen during its use in subjects with prediabetes, diabetes, high risk diabetes.
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head, Department of Pharmacology, JSS Medical College (JSS University) , Mysore, India .
authors.forename: Suresha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: R N
authors.forename: Ashwini
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: V
authors.forename: Pragathi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: B
authors.forename: Kalabharathi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: H L
authors.forename: Satish
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: A M
authors.forename: Pushpa
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: V H
authors.forename: Jayanthi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: M K
authors.forename: Snehalatha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: P
keywords: Calcium channel blocker; Carvedilol; Diabetes mellitus; Drug induced hyperglycaemia; Hyperglycaemia; Oral glucose tolerance test