Effects of moxifloxacin on serum glucose concentrations in rats.

Moxifloxacin, a fluoroquinolone antimicrobial agent, has been reported to cause serum glucose abnormalities such as hyper- and hypoglycemia. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of moxifloxacin on serum glucose concentrations in rats. Rats were intravenously injected with moxifloxacin and samples of their arterial blood were collected periodically. Serum glucose concentrations increased with moxifloxacin at 100 mg/kg, and temporal elevations were observed in serum epinephrine and histamine concentrations. On the other hand, intravenous injection of moxifloxacin at 75 mg/kg did not affect serum glucose, epinephrine, or histamine concentrations. Serum immunoreactive insulin concentrations remained unchanged by moxifloxacin both at 75 and 100 mg/kg. In conclusion, moxifloxacin can induce histamine release, leading to an increase in serum epinephrine concentrations and hyperglycemia.