Effects of nifedipine, propranolol, adenosine and caffeine on benzodiazepines induced hyperglycaemia

This study shows that diazepam (20 mg/Kg) and clonazepam (2 mg/Kg) administered intraperitoneally to 36 hour-fasted rabbits induce a significant (p < 0.05) hyperglycaemia 30 min. after administration. It also shows that the hyperglycaemic action of these benzodiazepines is significantly potentiated by nifedipine (10 mg/Kg) and inhibited by adenosine (1 mg/Kg), caffeine (40 mg/Kg) and propranolol (20 mg/Kg). The most pronounced inhibitory effect was that exerted by propranolol (p < 0.05). It is suggested that diazepam and clonazepam induced hyperglycaemia may be due to the release of hyperglycaemic hormones including adrenaline responsible for an increase of 3' 5' cAMP since the action of these benzodiazepines is inhibited by propranolol.