Insulin Resistance in Experimental Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Experimental type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) was induced in rats by daily intraperitoneal injections of alloxan in a dose of 90 mg/kg for 4 days. For verification of insulin resistance, insulin tolerance test was performed in 2 weeks and the glucose utilization rate constant (KITT) was calculated. The rats demonstrated the main symptoms of T1DM: hypoinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, ketonemia, glucosuria, ketonuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, weight loss, and insulin resistance, as evidenced by a decrease in KITT. The serum content of free fatty acids and triacylglycerols significantly increased. The content of triacylglycerols increased in skeletal muscles and decreased in the liver. A negative linear correlation was found between KITT and triacylglycerol content in muscles. Thus, the development of insulin resistance in experimental T1DM in rats is associated with accumulation of triacylglycerols in skeletal muscles.