Effect of Insulin on Human Leucocytes

Abstract

It has been found that it is possible to produce a slight effect on the glucose uptake and lactic acid production provided prolonged incubation and huge amounts of insulin are used. No effect of insulin upon glycogen synthesis has been demonstrated. The insulin effect can be imitated using human albumin in comparable concentrations. On the other hand, the insulin effect is abolished by cystein. A typical insulin effect, with increases in glucose uptake, lactic acid production and in glycogen synthesis, can be demonstrated by investigating leucocytes from diabetics, before, and twenty-four hours after, commencing treatment with insulin, while no effect is apparent shortly after the administration of insulin.