Original Research Article
Year: 2017 | Month: May | Volume: 7 | Issue: 5 | Pages: 123-126
Effect of Acute and Chronic Administration of Nicorandil (A Potassium Channel Activator) on Blood Glucose of Albino Rabbit
Sanjib Das1, Kusai M Alsalhanie2, Samal Nauhria3, Safeer Khan4, Vivek R Joshi5
1Professor, Department of Pharmacology & Clinical Sciences, 2Instructor, Department of Pathophysiology, 3Assistant Professor, Department of Pathophysiology, 4Senior Lecturer, Department of Anatomical Sciences, 5Associate Professor, Department of Molecular Sciences,
Windsor University School of Medicine, St. Kitts & Nevis, West Indies.
Corresponding Author: Sanjib Das
ABSTRACT
Many cells are equipped with so called potassium (K+) channels which have an important role in maintaining transmembrane potential. Nicorandil being a K+ channel activator (primary mechanism) causes hyperpolarization of membrane potential of vascular endothelial cells leading to vasodilation. Earlier studies suggest that besides vasodilation this drug could alter physiological blood glucose homeostasis. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the acute and chronic effect of Nicorandil (graded doses) on fasting and postprandial blood glucose level in albino rabbits (n=30). For this study, the blood glucose levels were estimated before and after intraperitoneal (IP) administration of nicorandil to see its effect. In our study, we observed no significant changes in blood glucose level in acute administration (single dose) even at higher doses 512 mcg/kg body weight (p > 0.1). Although we observed no significant changes in fasting glucose levels, there was significant rise in postprandial levels during chronic administration (for 15 days) p < 0.05.
Key words: Nicorandil, blood glucose, potassium channel activator.