Assessment of sensitivity to the anesthesia in a diabetic rat model

Diabetes mellitus and glucose regulation are important in deciding on surgical intervention in pre-surgical assessments. In our study, we aimed to investigate the correlations between the induction time of anesthesia, glucose level, and weight in a diabetic rat model.

Weight-matched adult male Wistar rats were grouped as control (n=8) and diabetic (n=8). In the latter group, diabetes was induced with a single intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg/kg streptozotosin. 72 hours after the injection, animals possessing a blood glucose concentration above 300 mg/kg were considered diabetic. The weights and blood glucose levels were observed for 7 days. In the end, 80 mg/kg ketamine and 12 mg/kg xylazine were administered to both groups, and the induction time of anesthesia was recorded. The success of anesthesia was confirmed with toe pinching by using a clamp. The Student's t- and Pearson's correlation tests were used for statistical analyses.

The induction time of anesthesia was significantly reduced in the diabetic group compared to the controls (p<0.01). Diabetic animals weighed less than the control group (p<0.01). The correlation analysis in the diabetic group showed that the weight and blood glucose level of animals did not influence the induction time of anesthesia (respectively, p=0.80, r: 0.150; p=0.68, r: -0.300). A negative correlation between blood glucose concentration and weight was found in diabetics (p<0.05, r: -0.828).

The dosage of anesthetic agents is important in the effectiveness of anesthesia, and surgical complications. Since our results indicate the susceptibility of diabetics to anesthesia, we suggest that the dose of anesthetics should be finely adjusted considering the presence of diabetes.