The effects of whole body hot bath on blood sugar level was examined in alloxan diabetic rats treated with intermediate-acting insulin. Sixty diabetic rats were divided into four groups which were 1) control group, 2) hot bath treated group, 3) insulin treated group and, 4) hot bath & insulin treated group. Hot bath was done for 20 minutes at 40℃~42℃ at 10 A.M. in group 2 & 4 and insulin therapy was performed by injection of 2 unit intermediate-acting insulin (Protaphane Beef)subcutaneously in the abdominal wall at 9 A.M. in group 3 & 4, daily for 6 weeks. We measured blood sugar level weekly using by reflectance photometer Diascan and compared diurnal variation of blood sugar level on the 2nd and 4th weeks.

The results were as follows:

1) There was no significant difference of blood level between group 1 and 2.

2) The blood sugar level was more significantly decreased in group 3 and 4 than group 1 and 2.

3) The hypoglycemic effect was clear in group 4 as compared to group 3 in weekly change and diurnal variation on the 2nd and 4th weeks.

Taken together, the results suggest that hot bath treatment is not able to reduce the blood sugar level in diabetic rats, but facilitates the absorption and the hypoglycemic effect of intermediate-acting insulin continuously.