Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 23, 2026

Hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic Clamps in Conscious, Unrestrained Mice
Published on: November 16, 2011
Systemic anaphylaxis is prevented in alloxan-diabetic rats by a mechanism dependent on glucocorticoids
Vinicius F Carvalho1, Emiliano O Barreto, Bruno L Diaz
1Laboratório de Inflamação, Departamento de Fisiologia e Farmacodinâmica, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Av. Brasil, no. 4365, Manguinhos, CEP 21045-900, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Abstract:
This study was undertaken to examine whether glucocorticoids could be implicated in the hyporesponsiveness of diabetic rats to systemic anaphylaxis. Rats were actively sensitized with a mixture of Al(OH)(3) plus ovalbumin and challenged i.v. with ovalbumin 14 days later. Diabetes was induced by alloxan-injected i.v. either before or after sensitization. Elevation of total and specific serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) was abolished in rats turned diabetic and then sensitised, but not in those first sensitised and then turned diabetic. In both conditions, increased serum corticosterone levels occurred in parallel with protection of diabetic animals against fatal shock, intestinal haemorrhage and elevation in plasma histamine levels evoked by antigen challenge. The resistance of diabetic rats to fatal shock was no longer significantly different from that of non-diabetic rats following treatment with the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist RU 486 (mifepristone). These findings indicate that endogenous glucocorticoid plays a pivotal role in the phenomenon of hyporeactivity to systemic anaphylaxis in alloxan-diabetic rats.
Related Concept Videos
Hypoglycemia and Glucagon
Allergic Reactions
Allergic Reactions: Anaphylaxis
Glucagon-like Receptor Agonists
GLP-1, when administered in high doses intravenously, triggers insulin secretion, inhibits glucagon release, slows gastric emptying, reduces food intake, and restores normal insulin secretion. However, its rapid inactivation by the...
Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion
Insulin and C-peptide are co-secreted in...
Drug Toxicity: Allergic Reactions

