Does Concentration of Glucose in Extracellular Fluid Influence Its Utilization by the Tissues?

Abstract

A study was made of glucose disappearance and glucose combustion rates using uniformly labeled glucose in eviscerated rabbits under the following conditions: (1) animals maintained at normal plasma sugar levels; (2) animals maintained at hyperglycemic levels; (3) animals maintained at normal glycemic levels with insulin. The results in the eviscerated rabbits show that elevation in the glucose concn. of the extracellular fluid (plasma concn.) increases slightly the disappearance and the combustion rates of glucose. In contrast insulin brings about a marked increase in disappearance and combustion with blood sugar maintained at normal levels. The effects of insulin cannot be simulated by increasing the plasma glucose concn. even to 1000 mg. %.