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Increased insulin circulating levels induced by canatoxin in rats
1Department of Pharmacology, Faculdade de Ciĕncias Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, S. Paulo, Brazil.
Toxicon : Official Journal of the International Society on Toxinology
|September 1, 1993
Summary
Canatoxin, a neurotoxin from Canavalia ensiformis seeds, increases insulin and lowers blood glucose in rats. This effect involves opioid and parasympathetic pathways, with a stronger insulin response in females.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pharmacology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Canatoxin is a proteic neurotoxin isolated from Canavalia ensiformis seeds.
- Previous studies suggest Canatoxin affects physiological processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of Canatoxin on insulin and glucose levels in rats.
- To explore the involvement of opioid and parasympathetic systems in Canatoxin's action.
Main Methods:
- Administration of Canatoxin to rats (male and female) at varying doses and time points.
- Measurement of circulating insulin and blood glucose levels.
- Pretreatment with opioid antagonists (naloxone, naltrexone) and parasympathetic blockers (atropine, hexamethonium).
Main Results:
- Canatoxin dose- and time-dependently increased circulating insulin levels, with a more pronounced effect in female rats.
- Canatoxin induced a long-lasting decrease in blood glucose levels.
- Opioid antagonists and parasympathetic blockers abolished both hyperinsulinemia and hypoglycemia induced by Canatoxin.
Conclusions:
- Canatoxin triggers hyperinsulinemia and hypoglycemia in rats.
- These effects are mediated by opioid and parasympathetic pathways.
- The neurotoxin's action is sexually dimorphic regarding the insulin response.