Acetaminophen-Induced Alterations in Blood Glucose and Blood Insulin Levels in Mice

Abstract

Three hours following administration of a toxic dose of the analgesic acetaminophen (500 mg/kg) to mice, blood glucose levels increased to 225 per cent. By six hours blood glucose levels decreased to approximately control values and by 24 hours glucose levels were 45 percent saline-treated control values. Immunoprecipitable blood insulin levels increased dramatically following acetaminophen treatment and were 300 per cent at 3 hours, 1100 per cent at 8 hours and 800 per cent at 24 hours. Saline treatment did not appreciably alter blood insulin levels. These observations indicate that acetaminophen may selectively alter pancreatic beta cells.