Effect of Chloroquine on Glucose Metabolism

Abstract

The long- and short-term effects of chloroquine (CAS 54-05-7) on glucose metabolism in rats were assessed. The long-term chronic chloroquine administration (5 and 10 mg/kg b.w. 6 days a week for 6 months) caused a decrease in serum glucose, insulin, calcium, potassium and protein levels, while the glucagon level increased. The short-term acute effect of chloroquine administration (10 mg/kg b.w. 6 days for one week) caused an improvement in glucose tolerance as shown by the decrease in glucose and insulin curves after an oral glucose tolerance test. This was accompanied by an increase in insulin activity, corrected insulin response, and glucose tolerance parameter and a decrease in glucose and insulin areas. Lactate dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities were increased, too, indicating an increase which provides the needed energy for overcoming the injurious effect of chloroquine.

Single Adult-human Equivalent Dose of Intramuscular Chloroquine did not Lower Blood Glucose Level in Fasted Wistar Rats

“…Ejebe DE, Esume CO, Nwokocha CR, Kagbo HD, Okolo AC, et al (2016) Single Adult-human Equivalent Dose of Intramuscular Chloroquine did not Lower Blood Glucose Level in Fasted Wistar Rats. Clin Exp Pharmacol 6: 213. doi:10.4172/2161-1459.1000213 but again the doses were higher than the 25 mg/kg recommended for treating malaria[27].…”