Potentiation of insulin coma by saccharin.

Abstract

Rats receiving an injection of insulin which was lethal to approximately 50% of untreated animals were permitted to drink either a saccharin, water or glucose solution. Results indicated that saccharin potentiated the effect of insulin, as significantly more of the animals of this group succumbed than did those in the water group. Animals that had glucose were protected. It may be an error to assume that saccharin is physiologically inert. Speculation concerning the question of why a non-nutritive substance such as saccharin may serve as an effective reward for animals is also presented.