Attenuation by nicotinamide of the streptozocin induced early hyperglycaemia in fasting rats.

The effect of nicotinamide on the streptozocin induced early hyperglycaemia in 48-hour fasted rats was investigated. It was shown that 240 or 400 mg/kg nicotinamide significantly attenuated the streptozocin induced early hyperglycaemia. Nicotinamide should be administered no later than 1 hour after the streptozocin administration. Lower level doses of nicotinamide such as 80 mg/kg were unable to attenuate the streptozocin induced early hyperglycaemia. The possibility of nicotinamide offsetting the streptozocin effect was discussed.