THE EFFECTS OF GLUCOSE AND INSULIN ON THE DIABETOGENIC ACTION OF ALLOXAN

Abstract

SUMMARY: The injection of 2–3 g/kg body weight of glucose inhibits the diabetogenic action of subsequently injected alloxan (65 mg/kg) and protects against the lethal effect of 100–120 mg alloxan/kg in the dog. Protection is less marked when glucose and alloxan are administered together. Insulin injections in doses sufficient to induce severe hypoglycaemia sensitize the dogs in such a manner as to convert non-diabetogenic doses of alloxan (30 mg/kg body weight) into diabetogenic ones. Female dogs are less sensitive to the action of insulin than males. Of a total of seven males and five females, all the males, but only one female, became diabetic. It is suggested that the concentration of glucose within and surrounding the β-cells of the pancreas regulates the degree of sensitivity of these cells to alloxan.