THE RÔLE OF THE ADRENAL CORTEX IN PREVENTING HYPOGLYCEMIC CONVULSIONS

Abstract

The effect of 0.2 u. insulin/kg. on adreno-demedullated and adrenalectomized rats was similar so far as the minimal blood sugar level was concerned, but the rate of fall was more rapid in the adrenalectomized animals. Coma and convulsions occurred frequently in the adrenalectomized and rarely in the adreno-demedullated group in spite of similar degrees of hypoglycemia. This difference occurred not only in the gross behavior but also in the E.E.G. which might be normal during hypoglycemia in an adreno-demedullated animal although the same blood sugar level invariably caused coma, disappearance of [alpha] and appearance of [delta] potentials in adrenalectomized animals. It is assumed that the sugar uptake by the brain is less in adrenalectomized than in adreno-demedullated animals on account of circulatory disturbances in the former group.