Acute effect of Fluconazole, Itraconazole and Voriconazole on blood glucose in normoglyceamic & diabetic rats: an experimental study

Abstract

Anti-fungal and antimicrobials are frequently co-prescribed either to manage or treat either the secondary complications or other diseases. Among antifungal drugs Fluconazole, Itraconazole & Voriconazole are most commonly used. The present study was undertaken to further confirm the effect of Voriconazole as well as other antifungal drugs on blood Glucose level. Aim & Objectives: 1. To Study the effect of Fluconazole, Itraconazole & Voriaconazole in Normoglycemic & Diabetic Rats on Blood Glucose. 2. To compare the effects between all drugs. Material & Methodology: Grouping: Animals divided into 8 groups in each group 6 animals. Group 1- 4: Normoglycemic rats, Group 5-8 Diabetic rats (alloxan induced) Group 1,5: received vehicle (Normal saline) Group 2,6: received Fluconazole (18mg/kg BW), Group 3,7 received Itraconazole (18mg/kg BW) Group 4,8 received Voriconazole (18mg/kg BW). The glucose levels were estimated by Glucometer method (Accu-check active) at the interval of 0, ½ hr, 1hrs, 2hrs & 4hrs after drug administration. Results: Effect on blood glucose in Normoglycemic Rats: Voriconazole had a significant hypoglycaemic effect which appeared after 1 hr (‘p’ value= 0.0102) of administration & persisted up to 2 hrs (‘p’ value=0.0001). However effect of Voriconzole was found to be declined after 2 hrs. There was no significant change in blood glucose in normoglycemic rats with Fluconazole & Itraconazole. Effect on blood glucose in Diabetic Rats: (Table 2): Voriconazole had a significant hypoglycaemic effect which appeared after 1 hr (‘p’ value=0.013) of administration & persisted up to 2 hrs (‘p’ value=0.001) in acute studies. However effect of Voriconzole was found to be declined after 2 hrs. There was no significant change in blood glucose in diabetic rats with Fluconazole & Itraconazole treated. Conclusion: Itraconazole, Fluconazole can be safely used in diabetic with fungal infections. Voriconazole should be avoided in diabetics to minimise the further hypoglycaemia.