INCIDENCE, CONTROL AND REGRESSION OF DIABETIC SYMPTOMS IN THE ALLOXAN-TREATED RAT

Abstract

A spontaneous regression in the severity of diabetes (measured by amt. of daily urine-glucose excretion) in rats rendered diabetic by alloxan and maintained thereafter on a stock diet was observed in a pilot expt. Further expts. designed to study the relation of insulin to this type of diabetes are described. Within 48 hrs. after subcut. injn. of alloxan in diabetogenic doses to fasted adult rats, the insulin content of pancreas fell to only 2-10% of the value in normal controls. Rats given alloxan and maintained on a fixed ration showed 3 types of response (a) pronounced and sustained glycosuria, (b) less pronounced and transient glyco-suria disappearing within 4-5 wks. following alloxan admn., and (c) aglycosuria. For several wks. after alloxan injn. all animals had subnormal levels of insulin content of pancreases, the level being lowest for type a and highest for type c. In all animals the insulin content of pancreas was higher at the time of sacrifice than that observed 48 hrs. after alloxan. Recognizable beta cells were observed in types b and c sacrificed 30 days after alloxan; none was found in rats of type a sacrificed 72 days after alloxan.