Influence of blood glucose on convulsive seizures from hyperbaric oxygen

Previous evidence suggests a causal relationship between blood glucose levels and the development of generalized epileptiform seizures. In the present study rats were pretreated with glucose, alloxan, or insulin prior to exposure to 6 atmospheres absolute (ATA) oxygen in a hyperbaric chamber. The results showed that the administration of glucose prior to oxygen exposure increased the time-to-seizure by 90% and alloxan by 110%, whereas in contrast insulin decreased the time-to-seizure by 55%. Blood glucose levels were consistently elevated in rats following oxygen exposure. A trend towards reduced lung damage by glucose and alloxan pretreatment was suggested by the data, although no changes were significant. Our results showed that prior administration of glucose or alloxan offered partial protection from oxygen toxicity in rats, whereas insulin generally augmented the reaction.