HYPOGLYCEMIC DRUGS AND THE DEXTRAN 'ANAPHYLACTOID' INFLAMMATION

Abstract

Tolbutamide (Orinase) (260 mg/kg s.c), a hypoglycemic drug of the sulphonylurea class, sensitizes the normal rat (135–185 g) towards the 'anaphylactoid' inflammation induced by the administration of dextran (1 ml 6% w/v solution in saline s.c. per rat). However, the drug does not sensitize the alloxan diabetic rat towards this inflammation, nor does it alleviate the classical signs of alloxan diabetes. It is suggested that the sensitization of normal rats towards dextran by tolbutamide is mediated through insulin.