THE ACTIVITY OF EXTRACTED PANCREATIC HYPERGLYCEMIC-GLYCOGENOLYTIC FACTOR AFTER COBALTOUS CHLORIDE AND SYNTHALIN A

Abstract

THERE is much evidence that the alpha cells of the pancreatic islet tissue are responsible for a biologically active secretion (Heard, Lozinski, Stewart and Stewart, 1948; Sutherland and deDuve, 1948; Sutherland, Cori, Haynes and Olsen, 1949). Its extraction, purification and autonomy have been described (Audy and Kerly, 1952; Stewart, 1948; Sutherland and deDuve, 1948; Zimmerman and Donovan, 1948); though extracted along with insulin, it is chemically, physically and biologically distinct from that molecule (Pincus, 1950; Sutherland, Cori, Haynes and Olsen, 1949). Because of two most apparent biological properties, namely the release of glycogen as glucose from liver slices and hyperglycemia from intravenous or intramuscular injection, it has been named the hyperglycemic-glycogenolytic factor, or HGF. A hypothetical third effect, an influence on ketone metabolism, (Thorogood and Zimmerman, 1945; Fodden 1953b) requires more investigation. Two chemical compounds, cobaltous chloride and synthalin A (decamethylenediguanidine hydrochloride) have been used to injure or ablate the alpha cells in the living animal,