Changes of blood glucose and insulin following acute spinal cord injury in rats

Objective To study the changes of blood glucose and insulin following acute spinal cord injury in rats. Methods A total of 192 male rats were randomly divided into sham group, mild injury group and severe injury group. Animal model with spinal cord injury was made by Allen's method.Blood glucose levels were measured by OneTouch(R) Ultra~(TM) glucose measurer and blood insulin value by radioimmunoassay at pre-injury and at 1,4, 8,12 hours, 1,3 and 5 days post-injury. Later, the insulin sensitivity index (ISI) was calculated. Results The blood glucose levels increased markedly after spi-nal cord injury. The severer trauma resulted in faster increase of the blood glucose and insulin levels. ISI is decreased in mild and severe injury groups, with more significant in severe injury group. ISI decreased with higher severity of spinal cord injury. Conclusion The hyperglycemia after spinal cord injury is probably associated with insulin resistance. Key words: Spinal cord injuries; Blood glucose; Insulin; Radioirmnunoassay