STUDIES ON THE STATE OF INSULIN IN BLOOD:THE ROLE OF GLUCOSE IN THE<i>IN VIVO</i>DISSOCIATION OF INSULIN COMPLEXES1¹

Abstract

The ratio of “free” and “bound” forms of insulin in the sera of non-diabetics has been examined both in the fasting state and following glucose administration. It was found that the predominant form of insulin in the sera of fasting subjects was in the “bound” form. Following I.V. administration of glucose, the “bound” form of insulin disappeared from circulation whereas in ten to twenty minutes after glucose administration the “free” insulin increased markedly. These studies suggested that a rise of blood glucose in non-diabetics “triggers” a mechanism which results in the dissociation of the “bound” form of insulin in blood. Preliminary studies in untreated diabetics are also presented and discussed.