Intravenous glucose tolerance in lithium treated rats.

A method for performing intravenous glucose tolerance tests in anaesthetized rats was developed, and factors influencing basal glucose tolerance was investigated. Glucose tolerance increased with increasing weight and body temperature, but decreased with fasting. Lithium administration increased glucose tolerance. The increase varied with the dose and the time interval between administration and glucose tolerance test. There was an immediate increase in glucose tolerance after lithium administration, which lasted under special conditions up to 24 hours. The duration was depending on the dose given and the fasting state of the animal.