Serum Proteins of Chinese Hamsters and Response of Diabetics to Tolbutamide and Insulin

Abstract

Fifty young hamsters with elevated, 2-band type [alpha]-2 serum proteins were studied for development of glycosuria for 2 years. During this observation period, none of these animals developed glycosuria. These results did not support the suggestion that the quantitative and quantitative changes in [alpha]-2 proteins correlate with prediabetes in the Chinese hamster. Serum protein patterns have been run on 50 diabetic and 96 normal animals. Three types of patterns have been found three [alpha]-2 protein bands, 2 bands, and a type which appears to be intermediate between the 3- and 2-banded types. No significant difference in the incidence of various [alpha]-2 types was found between diabetics and nondiabetics. Since many animals with elevated [alpha]-2 protein with 2 bands do not develop glycosuria and [alpha]-2 patterns of diabetics do not differ from nondiabetlcs, it is concluded that in the Upjohn colony [alpha]-2 proteins cannot be used as markers for diabetes. The only criterion available for distinguishing "diabetics" from "nondiabetics" is glycosuria. Mild diabetic animals respond to tolbutamide with a reduction in glycosuria but severe diabetics do not. Therefore, diabetic hamsters are similar to diabetic humans in responsiveness to tolbutamide.