Effect of insufficient insulin treatment in streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus.

Objectives: In this study, we investigated clinically, pathologically, and immunohistochemically the effect of insufficient short-acting insulin treatment on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes mellitus in rats.

Methods: Three groups composed of 10 rats each were studied as follows: (1) a group that received only STZ (50 mg/kg) (STZ group); (2) a group that received 50 mg/kg STZ and, after 12 hours, 8 IU of short-acting insulin treatment (STZ + INS group), repeated every night for 5 days; and (3) a control group. Ketonuria and blood glucose levels were examined every day.