Pathomorphological Effects of Recurrent Hypoglycaemia Caused by Low Dose Alloxan-Streptozotocin Cocktail in Rabbits

Beta-cytotoxic drugs like Alloxan and streptozotocin are used individually or in combination for inducing diabetic models. They cause beta-cytolysis resulting in sudden release of insulin which in turn leads to hypoglycaemia. This investigation was aimed at studying pathomorphological changes caused by hypoglycaemia induced by low doses of Alloxan-STZ cocktail in rabbits. New Zealand White rabbits, 1–1.5 kg body weight, were administered alloxan (@50 mg/kg b.w.) and STZ (@ 35mg/kg b.w.) cocktail, as single intravenous dose. Blood glucose levels were monitored up to 9 h when glucose therapy was given to surviving rabbits. Rabbits dead due to hypoglycaemia were necropsied and histopathology performed. Grossly widespread vascular congestion was evident. Histopathological changes were characterized by beta-cell degeneration to complete cell loss in islets of Langerhans, neuronal degeneration and necrosis in brain, nephrosis, hepatosis and inflammatory reaction in different organs. It was concluded that pathological evaluation of diabetic complications needs to be weighed against the effects of early recurrent hypoglycaemia in chemically induced experimental models.