Metabolic effects and mortality rate in diabetic Chinese hamsters after long-term treatment with 5-methoxyindole-2-carboxylic acid (MICA).

Chronic oral treatment of male diabetic Chinese hamsters with 100 mg/kg/day 5-methoxyindole-2-carboxylic acid (MICA) causes a depression of blood glucose in fasted animals and an improvement in the glucose profile in fed animals. Glycogen levels in the liver and body weight are decreased. Treated animals die at a higher rate than do controls. It is concluded that treatment with a potent inhibitor of gluconeogenesis like MICA will not provide a useful tool in managing diabetes.