Glibenclamide-induced changes in blood and tissue metabolite levels in fish.

Oral administration of a new antidiabetic drug, glibenclamide, in a freshwater fish, Puntius conchonius lead to notable changes in the blood and tissue metabolite levels. The drug caused significant hypoglycaemia and glycogen deposition in liver and skeletal muscles. Besides, the treated fish evinced marked hypocholesteraemia, hypoaminoacidaemia, a fall in FFA and phospholipid concentrations while the cholesterol content increased in the liver and kidneys. Most conspicuous change in various metabolite levels occurred at 8 hrs posttreatment, and restitution of normal values was achieved 24-48 hrs later. The drug appears to be endowed with remarkable insulinotropic property even in fishes.