Stress affects the oscillation of blood glucose levels in rodents

Background: The baseline of glucose level is one of the most fundamental metrics of glucose metabolism assessments and diabetes diagnosis. Under the demands of maintaining physical activity levels and stimulation from various external factors, blood glucose levels are in a fractal fluctuation state and maintain a day-night rhythm in physical condition. Although several stressors stimulation has been considered to increase glucose levels, how stress affects the glucose oscillation is unknown. Methods: In the study, we measure the glucose levels of mice by glucometer for exploring how the blood collection affect the fractal fluctuation of glucose. Furthermore, we monitor the glucose levels of rats by the continuous glucose monitoring system to study the change of glucose day-night rhythm underlying external stress. Results: We found that stressors (i.e., blood collection) expand the fractal fluctuation of blood glucose. Strikingly, external stress stimulation irreversibly erases the circadian rhythm of glucose levels. The cycle of activity and body temperature, which are tested simultaneously, are also disturbed by stress stimulation. Conclusions: These results reveal a novel insight that stress stimulation leads to an irreversible disruption of the glucose cycle and provides vital implications for the pathogenesis and treatment of long-term stress-induced glucose metabolic disorders.