Influence of subconjunctival steroid injection on blood glucose profile in diabetic rats

Abstract

Purpose. The influence of subconjunctival steroid injection on blood glucose concentration was investigated in rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. Methods. Adult male Wistar rats with STZ-induced diabetes (n = 10) and normal controls (n = 10) received subconjunctival injections of 0.1 ml of 0.4% dexamethasone or saline. Blood glucose concentrations were measured before and 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 h after treatment. Results. In the STZ group, subconjunctival injection of steroids (p = 0.0013) or saline (p = 0.0037) significantly increased the blood glucose level 3 h after treatment. In the control group, the blood glucose concentration was not elevated by subconjunctival injection. In both STZ and control groups, the blood glucose concentration was significantly higher after steroid injection than after saline injection throughout the 24 h study period. Conclusions. Subconjunctival steroid injection induced a significant blood glucose increase in both diabetic and control rats. For diabetic rats, the subconjunctival injection itself constituted stress that resulted in glucose elevation.