Severe hypoglycemia-induced sudden death is mediated by both cardiac arrhythmias and seizures

American Journal of Physiology. Endocrinology and Metabolism
Candace M RenoSimon J Fisher

Abstract

We previously demonstrated that insulin-induced severe hypoglycemia-associated sudden death is largely mediated by fatal cardiac arrhythmias. In the current study, a pharmacological approach was taken to explore the potential contribution of hypoglycemic seizures and the sympathoadrenergic system in mediating severe hypoglycemia-associated sudden death. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into one of four treatment groups: 1) saline (SAL), 2) anti-arrhythmic (β1 blocker atenolol), 3) antiseizure (levetiracetam), and 4) combination antiarrhythmic and antiseizure (β1 Blocker+Levetiracetam). All rats underwent hyperinsulinemic severe hypoglycemic clamps for 3.5 h. When administered individually during severe hypoglycemia, β1 blocker reduced 2nd and 3rd degree heart block by 7.7- and 1.6-fold, respectively, and levetiracetam reduced seizures 2.7-fold, but mortality in these groups did not decrease. However, it was combined treatment with both β1 blocker and levetiracetam that remarkably reduced seizures and completely prevented respiratory arrest, while also eliminating 2nd and 3rd degree heart block, leading to 100% survival. These novel findings demonstrate that, in mediating sudden death, hypoglycemia elicits two distinct ...Continue Reading

References

Oct 1, 1992·The American Journal of Physiology·C H Lang
Jan 1, 1991·Diabetic Medicine : a Journal of the British Diabetic Association·R B Tattersall, G V Gill
Jun 1, 1996·Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology·J HewertsonD P Southall
Nov 1, 1996·The American Journal of Physiology·M ZhaoK H Muntz
Nov 21, 2001·Pharmacotherapy·C A Hovinga
May 27, 2003·Diabetes·Robert T C E RobinsonSimon R Heller
Jun 24, 2004·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Berkley A LynchBruno Fuks
Nov 27, 2008·Diabetes·Philip E Cryer
Oct 17, 2009·Endocrine Practice : Official Journal of the American College of Endocrinology and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists·Robert J TanenbergAlmond J Drake
Apr 18, 2013·American Journal of Physiology. Endocrinology and Metabolism·Candace M RenoSimon J Fisher

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Nov 7, 2019·Current Diabetes Reviews·Ronald B Brown
Jun 22, 2020·Seizure : the Journal of the British Epilepsy Association·Kensuke NakamuraHideo Yasunaga
Sep 12, 2020·Current Pharmaceutical Design·Niki KatsikiDimitri P Mikhailidis

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Software Mentioned

GraphPad Prism

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Antiarrhythmic Agents: Mechanisms of Action

Understanding the mechanism of action of antiarrhythmic agents is essential in developing new medications as treatment of cardiac arrhythmias is currently limited by the reduced availability of safe and effective drugs. Discover the latest research on Antiarrhythmic Agents: Mechanism of Action here.

Anti-Arrhythmic Drug Therapies

Anti-arrhythmic drugs are used to prevent abnormal heart rhythms. These medications are used in conditions including, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation and atrial fibrillation. Discover the latest research on anti-arrhythmic drug therapies here.

Arrhythmia

Arrhythmias are abnormalities in heart rhythms, which can be either too fast or too slow. They can result from abnormalities of the initiation of an impulse or impulse conduction or a combination of both. Here is the latest research on arrhythmias.

Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia that is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, particularly due to stroke and thromboembolism. Here is the latest research.