ABSTRACT
The present study was undertaken to determine the effect of chlorimipramine [CIM], a tricyclic antidepressant, on plasma glucose and insulin levels in normal and diabetic rats. Fasted male Wister rats were treated with four doses of CIM [5, 10, 20, 40 mg/kg]. This was either given as a single dose, one hour prior to blood sampling [acute] or daily for seven consecutive days [chronic]. Results showed that CIM caused a dose-dependent decrease in the plasma glucose level in both the acute and chronic treated normal rats. This hypoglycemic effect was associated with a significant rise in immuno-reactive insulin [IRI when given in lower doses [5 and 10 mg/kg]. In diabetic rats, CIM [0.5 and 5 mg/kg] significantly reduced plasma glucose level with increased level of insulin. However, CIM showed no effect on plasma glucose level of diabetic rats previously treated with soluble insulin [0.4 and 1 U/kg]. These findings may have clinical implications regarding the treatment of depressed diabetic patients