THE EFFECT OF pH ON THE DIABETOGENIC ACTION OF ALLOXAN

Abstract

SUMMARY: 1. The effect of pH on the diabetogenic action of alloxan has been studied. Dissolving alloxan in buffer of pH 4·0 prior to injection potentiates the diabetogenic action. Conversely, dissolving alloxan in buffer of pH 8·0 decreases the diabetogenic effect. 2. A routine method for the production of diabetes is proposed. The incidence of diabetes was increased from 5 to 93% by the subcutaneous injection of 200 mg alloxan monohydrate/kilo body weight dissolved in citrate phosphate buffer, pH 4·0, instead of in water. 3. Systemic acidosis (either by CaCl₂ or NH₄Cl ingestion, or the respiration of gas mixtures rich in CO₂) increased the susceptibility of rats to alloxan. 4. Measurements have been made of reduced glutathione in blood and liver, and the level of ascorbic acid. No correlation has been found between the changes in the level of these substances and the incidence of diabetes. 5. It is suggested that a relative acidity in the β-cells could be a contributory factor which regulates the susceptibility of these cells to alloxan.