Species differences in glucose metabolism and insulin responsiveness of adipose tissue

Abstract

Glucose uptake and metabolism by slices of epididymal and perirenal adipose tissue from rats, guinea-pigs, rabbits, and hamsters, 2-4 months old, were measured in four different media, in presence or absence of insulin. The total quantity of glucose metabolized per gram tissue, the amount converted to fatty-acids, and the degree of stimulation of glucose metabolism by insulin, varied with species according to the order: rat > guinea-pig > rabbit > hamster. Adipose tissue of the latter two species metabolized glucose only 1/10 as rapidly as that of the rat and converted only 1/200-1/10 as much glucose into fatty-acids. The magnitude of the insulin effect on rabbit and hamster adipose tissue, expressed as increase in quantity of glucose metabolized per gram tissue in response to the hormone, was only 1/50-1/5 as great as that on the rat tissue, whether beef, pig, sheep or rabbit insulin was used.