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Background

Insulin-induced hypoglycemia has been demonstrated to prolong the corrected QT (QTc) interval. Prolongation of the QTc interval, especially in diabetic patients using insulin, can cause fatal ventricular arrhythmias. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of metoprolol, diltiazem, and pilocarpine on hypoglycemia-induced QTc prolongation.

Methods

Thirty male rats were randomly distributed into the following five groups: Group 1 (1 mL/kg saline, n= 6), Group 2 (40 U/kg crystalline insulin+ saline, n= 6), Group 3 (40 U/kg crystalline insulin+ 1 mg/kg metoprolol, n= 6), Group 4 (40 U/kg crystalline insulin+ 0.8 mg/kg pilocarpine, n= 6), and Group 5 (40 U/kg crystalline insulin+ 2 mg/kg diltiazem, n= 6). Three hours after insulin injection, the blood glucose level was measured in all groups. Blood glucose< 40 mg/dl was defined as hypoglycemia. Electrocardiograms (ECG) were taken in lead I (DI), and …