Search

Recurring insulin-induced hypoglycemia (RIIH) often occurs during therapeutic management of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. There is evidence that both cardiac and adrenergic sensitivity are altered in type 1 diabetics. Controversy currently exists in literature as to the ability of insulin to promote hypertension. Could insulin promote adverse pressor effects, if so under what conditions and through what mechanism? Thus, the current study was performed to evaluate the hypothesis that hypoglycemia promotes hypertension via an increase in Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Male Sprague Dawley rats (200 – 225g) were treated for 2 weeks with varying doses of subcutaneous insulin injections (1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 U/kg body weight) and fed on normal chow or zinc diet (1mM) for 2 weeks. Tail-cuff blood pressure, food/water intake and blood glucose states were monitored daily. A dose dependent decrease in blood glucose was observed. Blood pressure was significantly elevated in rats treated with 7U/Kg dose as compared to ...