Acute Exercise and Caffeine Improve Insulin-Induced Hypoglycemia in Normal and Malnourished Rats

Abstract

In food restriction, hypoglycemic episodes can be more severe and persistent. This work assessed the influence of acute exercise and caffeine on the insulin-induced hypoglycemia in freely-fed or malnourished (50% food restriction) young rats. At the age of 60 days, the rats under overnight fasting were given an insulin injection to cause an episode of hypoglycemia. In some animals hypoglycemia was preceded by an acute session of exercise; in others caffeine was orally given 15 minutes after insulin injection; or it was made the association of exercise and caffeine. Blood samples were collected at regular intervals for five hours since insulin injection. A beneficial effect of either exercise or caffeine on the hypoglycemic episode in the malnourished rats was recorded. In the control rats, the association of exercise+caffeine had a more beneficial effect that either intervention alone. It is discussed that exercise and caffeine, isolated or combined, can be used as exogenous anti-hypoglycemic resources, taking into consideration however the nutritional status of the subject.