Effect of electroconvulsions on glucose homeostasis in rabbits

Acute electroconvulsions (ECS) produced hyperglycemic response in rabbits which peaked at 30 min and recovered within 4 h. This hyperglycemic response to acute ECS was significantly more marked in rabbits which were chronically pretreated with ECS. The hyperglycemic responses to acute ECS and oral glucose were additive in nature. Daily administration of adrenaline in chronically ECS pretreated rabbits further enhanced the hyperglycemic response to acute ECS. The hyperglycemic response to oral glucose and parenteral adrenaline were significantly more marked in such rabbits. GTT done on the day next to ECS, in rabbits chronically pretreated with ECS and then with ECS plus adrenaline produced enhanced hyperglycemic response. These results indicate that repetitive ECS disturbs glucose homeostasis.