THE EFFECT OF OXYGEN DEFICIENCY ON THE SENSITIVITY OF RATS TO INSULIN

Abstract

The authors studied the effect of O2 deficiency established by a reduction of the barometric pressure to 460 mm. Hg on the production of insulin convulsions and hypoglycemia in rats. The same dose of insulin was given to each rat in 3 successive expts., the 1st and the 3d serving as controls, while in the 2d the animal was subjected to low barometric pressure + insulin. The low pressure (460 mm. Hg) used in these expts. has no effect on noninsulinized rats even when the time of exposure was many times greater than that employed in these expts. The insulin convulsions show a greater severity and a shortened latent period under low pressure. The combination of insulin and low pressure does not cause the blood sugar to fall below the level observed in the same animals when the rats remain under atmospheric conditions after the injection of insulin. The clinical picture of convulsions shown by the rats in the low pressure chamber resembles that of rats suffering from extreme degrees of anoxia.[long dash]Low blood sugar apparently interferes with the oxygenation of the central nervous system. Therefore a mild degree of O2 deficiency under conditions of low blood sugar leads to symptoms which are similar to those obtained at normal blood sugar level only under conditions of extreme anoxia.