Use of monohydrate dextrose in zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model to induce hyperglycemia

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to establish hyperglycemia in zebrafish
(Danio rerio) using dextrose monohydrate as a suitable and inexpensive alternative to
glucose in the diabetic process.
Materials & Methods: A number of 90 adult fish with an average weight of 316.38 ± 53.74
mg were selected and after adaptation were subjected to different doses of dextrose
monohydrate for 24 days in two treatments of diabetic and control treatments each with
three replicates. Blood samples were taken at the beginning of the experiment and also on
the seventh, sixteenth and twenty-fifth days after inducing hyperglycemia to check the
glucose levels.
Results: Comparison of blood glucose levels between the diabetic and control treatments
showed an increase in fasting blood glucose levels from 41.17 to 188.67 after immersion in
dextrose solution for 24 days. Also in glucose tolerance test in diabetic treatment, glucose
level remained above 600 mg/dl after 90 minutes.
Conclusion: In general, the results showed that the use of dextrose in a gradual manner
causes hyperglycemia and this method can be used to induce type 2 diabetes.