[Protective effect of verapamil against alloxan-induced damage on pancreatic islet beta-cells in rats]

An experimental diabetes model was produced by intravenous injection of alloxan. Verapamil (40 mg/kg) administered intraperitoneally 30 minutes prior to alloxan was able to decrease serum glucose from 22.93 +/- 1.37 mmol/L to 8.79 +/- 0.83 mmol/L after 48 hours of injection of alloxan. Histological findings showed that the number of secretory granules in beta cells of the pancreatic islet of rats pretreated with verapamil was markedly increased as compared to rats treated with alloxan alone.