Effect of buspirone on blood glucose levels in rats

Background: Buspirone is commonly used as an anti-anxiety drug. There is controversy over the dysglycemic effects of buspirone in various clinical and animal studies. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the effect of buspirone on blood sugar level in rats at three different doses. Materials and Methods: Rats were treated with three doses of buspirone orally, namely, 3 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg, and 10 mg/kg and control group received distilled water orally for 14 days. Blood was collected by tail prick method at 0 h (fasting), at ½ h, 1 h, 1½ h, 2 h, and 4 h after drug administration on day 1. On days 7 and 14, the blood glucose levels were estimated at baseline (0 h) and at 1 h after the drug administration. Blood glucose levels were estimated using the glucometer. Results: On day 1, mean blood glucose values were found to be significantly (P < 0.001) low in control group and in buspirone 3 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg groups at various time intervals as compared to baseline value at 0 h in respective group. In buspirone 10 mg/kg group, mean blood glucose levels at all-time intervals were found to be significantly high (P < 0.01) as compared to baseline value at 0 h. On days 7 and 14, a significant increase in the blood glucose level was observed immediately within 30 min of drug administration and reach maximum value at the end of 1 h only in buspirone 10 mg/kg group. This rise in blood glucose level was not seen in groups receiving buspirone 3 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg. Conclusion: Buspirone 3 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg does not have any effect on blood glucose levels, while in a high dose of 10 mg/kg causes a significant transient increase in the blood glucose level.