Alloxan Diabetes in Mice

Abstract

Alloxan diabetes may be produced most effectively in mice by the injn. of 100 mg./kg. of alloxan into a tail vein. Fifty mice treated in this way had blood sugar levels greater than 300 mg. % 48 hrs. later. There were no deaths. Fasting before the intraperitoneal injection of alloxan increased the mortality in mice without increasing the incidence of diabetes among the survivors. Mice resistant to the first injn. of alloxan were not necessarily resistant to a second injn. of the same dose. Alloxan hyperglycemia was not permanent in all mice since the blood sugar levels of 1/2 of the survivors reverted to normal within 6 wks. In the dosages administered eplnephrine, cysteine, niacin and riboflavin did not give protection against the action of alloxan.