Abstract: AIM: To investigate the effects of etomidate and propofol on insulin resistance in rabbits with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM). METHODS: 18 successed model of the T2DM rabbits were randomly divided into three groups (n=6): control group (group C), etomidate group (group E), 1% propofol group (group P). 0.9% sodium chloride infusion for group C, 1% propofol infusion for group P, etomidate infusion for group E respectively, before the start of administrating (T₁), administrating for 2 h (T₂), 4 h (T₃), 6 h (T₄) and after the administration for 24 h (T₅) , pumping blood through ear vein to determine BG,IN,TNF-α,Cor and calculate IRI = (BG × IN)/22.5 by HOMA-IR formula. RESULTS: Compared with group C, group E and group P could significantly reduce the concentration of serum BG (P<0.05), the effect of Group E was more stronger and more durable. Compared with group C, group E and P could reduce serum TNF-α concentration in vary degree, there were no significant different (P>0.05). Compared with group C, group E and P had lower concentration of serum IN in the different time points (P<0.05). Compared with group C, both of Group E and P could significantly reduce the concentration of serum Cor (P<0.05). The effect of Group E was more stronger and more durable. CONCLUSION: Both etomidate and propofol can decrease the IR and improve the insulin sensitivity in rabbits with T2DM. Etomidate has a more lasting effect compared with propofol. The potential mechanism of the impact of etomidate,propofol on IR is that the two can inhibit the body's stress response through internal and external.

Key words: Propofol, Etomidate, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, Insulin resistance