IMPROVEMENT IN GLUCOSE-TOLERANCE OF INSULIN-RESISTANT RATS AFTER CHRONIC OR ACUTE ADMINISTRATION OF BENFLUOREX

The effects of Benfluorex administration on glucose tolerance have bee n examined in young and old Sprague Dawley rats. The ageing rats were used as a model of insulin resistance. Chronic oral administration of Benfluorex decreased triglycerides levels and normalized glucose toler ance in ageing rats, independently of effects on body weight. Acute in traportal administration of 0.45 mg/kg/h of Benfluorex for 30 min resu lted in a 50 % increase in glucose tolerance in old rats, but did not modify that in young rats. The improved glucose tolerance brought abou t by Benfluorex in an animal model of insulin resistance may suggest a wider therapeutic application in man, to include insulin resistant st ates as type II diabetes or Syndrome X.