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Updated: Oct 7, 2026

A Model of Chronic Nutrient Infusion in the Rat
Published on: August 14, 2013
[Influences of gestational hyperglycemia on the function of fetal rat pancreatic islets]
Objective:
To investigate the influences of gestational hyperglycemia on the function of fetal rat pancreatic islets.
Methods:
Twenty-eight pregnant SD rats were randomly allocated into two groups. The study group was continually infused with 30% glucose at the rate of 2 ml/min, while the controls with sterilized distilled water in the same time and at the same rate. The infusion began on day 16.5 post-coitus and lasted for 5 days until the removal of the fetuses. The functions of the beta-cells in fetal rat islets were studied by determining the content of insulin, using the tests of extracting, releasing and perfusing.
Results:
The data showed that the insulin content of study group (3,329.81 +/- 163.39) ng was significantly higher than that of controls (2,390.04 +/- 151.39) ng (P < 0.05); After 2 hours' incubation in Hanks solution which contained different concentration of glucose, increased insulin secretion was found in the study group (P < 0.05); When the islets were perfused, the insulin peak value of study group was higher and appeared earlier than that of controls.
Conclusion:
Insulin synthesis and secretion function of beta-cells of fetal pancreas from hyperglycemia rats were enhanced and the pancreas had a hypersensitive response to glucose challenge.
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