Does prolonged cyanide exposure have a diabetogenic effect?

Cyanide exposure through cassava consumption has been associated with the d evelopment of malnutrition-related diabetes mellitus (MRDM). However, there are few experimental reproductions of this disease. In the present study 4 2 rats received 0, 9.0 or 12.0 mg KCN/kg bw/d for 15 d, 26 pigs were dosed with 0, 2.0, 4.0 or 6.0 mg KCN/kg for 74 d, and 34 goats received 0, 0.3, 0 .6, 1.2 or 3.0 mg KCN/kg for 5 mo. At the end of each experimental period, plasma samples were obtained for glucose and thiocyanate measurement, and t he pancreas was collected for histopathologic study. No significant differe nces in plasma glucose concentrations occurred between groups. The pancreas had no pathology. Chronic cyanide exposure did not promote diabetogenic ef fects in rats, swine or goats, suggesting that cyanide is not responsible f or MRDM in humans.