Regulation of Blood Glucose Levels in Normal and Diabetic Rats

 

Linda Butler

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 1995, Volume 16

Abstract

This exercise demonstrates the crucial role insulin plays in blood glucose homeostasis in mammals. Three pairs of fasted rats are tested in each of three different regimes; one rat of each pair is normal and the other is diabetic. The first pair is administered an oral glucose load and a placebo injection of saline. The second pair is administered an oral glucose load and an insulin injection. The third pair is administered an oral placebo of water and a placebo injection of saline. The blood glucose levels of the six rats are monitored at 20-minute intervals for 2 hours by taking blood samples from each rat’s tail.

Keywords:  blood glucose, insulin, glucose tolerance test, homeostasis, diabetes

Emory University (1994)