EFFECT OF DIETHYLDITHIOCARBAMATE AND OTHER AGENTS ON MICE WITH THE OBESEHYPERGLYCEMIC SYNDROME1,2

Abstract

A certain proportion of mice with the obese-hyperglycemic syndrome show normal non-fasted blood glucose levels. Hyperglycemia can be elicited invariably in these animals by growth hormone admn., to which non-obese animals are resistant. This suggests the presence in the stock of a genetic factor responsible for the "masking" of the hyperglycemia. Impure pancreatic extracts cause hyperglycemia in obese mice, hypoglycemia in non-obese animals. Diethyldithiocarbamate (DEC) treatment eliminates for a period of 1-2 wks. the hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and response to growth hormone of obese hyperglycemic animals. These effects are not simply due to reduction of food intake, although this phenomenon and wt. loss do take place. DEC also prevents the hyperglycemia which normally follows cobaltous chloride injn. From a histologic standpoint, the untreated obese animals show deficient beta cell granulation in the islets of Langerhans and DEC temporarily restores beta granulation in these animals to levels comparable with those in non-obese siblings.