THE EFFECTS IN MAN AND DOGS OF MASSIVE DOSES OF INSULIN ON THE COMPOSITION OF THE BLOOD SERUM

Abstract

Physically normal adult [male][male] with schizophrenia were injected with 20 to 130 units of insulin. In all cases (10 studies) the following changes in the composition of the blood serum were observed at the height of the insulin reaction:[long dash]moderate increase in the conc. of the proteins, range 1.5 to 10.4%, mean 4.2%; marked decrease in the conc. of K, range 12.7 to 26.8%, mean 18.4%. In all but one case the conc. of non-protein N in the serum decreased significantly; the average decrease was 12.4%. At least a part of this change involved substances other than urea. In all but one case the conc. of Na in the serum rose slightly; the average increase was 1.9%. Studies on dogs yielded results very similar to those obtained on man. The changes in K conc. in man were ascribed in large part to hyperactivity of the -adrenal glands provoked by the hypoglycemia.