Oxidation and storage of glucose under the action of insulin

Abstract

Increase in muscle glycogen and O2 consumption were studied simultaneously in eviscerated spinal cats. O2 consumption was measured by a closed-system recording respirometer with a pump to provide artificial respiration. The total quantity of glucose disappearing from the system under insulin equalled the sum of the equivalents of glycogen deposited and of O2 absorbed. This balance is preserved whatever the relation between the rate of glucose infusion and the dose of insulin injected[long dash]whether the blood sugar rises constantly, falls within normal limits, or falls to a minimal percentage. It is concluded that all glucose disappearing under the action of insulin is either oxidized or deposited as glycogen. The fact that a fatal dose given a normal animal may result in disappearance of pre-existent glycogen with concurrent fall of respiratory metabolism is attributed to the other action of insulin, in depressing the new formation of carbohydrate in the liver. It is suggested that excessive doses of insulin produce the same effects as physiological doses, but of abnormal intensity.