Effects of Medetomidine-Midazolam on Plasma Glucose and Insulin Concentrations in Laboratory Pigs

Abstract

Effects of rnedetomidine (40 μg/kg)-midazolam (0.2 mg/kg) on plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were evaluated in laboratory pigs. Intramuscular injection of medetomidine-midazolam induced a gradual hyperglycemic response associated with hypoinsulinemia which was much smaller than that by 80μg/kg of rnedetomidine alone and was almost within a physiological fluctuation. These mild responses induced by medetomidine-midazolam were antagonized by use of an avadrenoreceptor antagonist atipamezole (160 μg/kg), therefore those changes were thought to be mainly attributed to the effect of rnedetomidine on α2-avadrenoreceptors. A combination of rnedetomidine at a low dose and midazolam reduces undesirable effects, while providing more profound sedation than rnedetomidine alone in laboratory pigs. © 1994, The Keio Journal of Medicine. All rights reserved.