THE INFLUENCE OF PANCREATECTOMY ON THE METABOLIC STATE OF THE ALLOXAN-DIABETIC DOG

Abstract

THE most convincing evidence that a hyperglycemic-glycogenolytic factor is produced by the pancreas is the demonstration that removal of the pancreas from the dog previously rendered diabetic by alloxanization (alloxan-diabetic dog) results in a reduction in both the quantity of sugar excreted and the quantity of insulin required to maintain the preoperative level of glycosuria (Thorogood and Zimmerman, 1945; Rodriguez-Candela et at., 1947). Examination of the experimental design that was employed, however, raises doubts as to whether the aforementioned observations actually demonstrated that an amelioration of the diabetic state ensued after pancreatectomy. The hyperglycemia and glycosuria of the diabetic animal are dependent upon endogenous and exogenous sources of carbohydrate. If the exogenous sources remain constant, then it may be assumed that changes in the degree of glycosuria are due to endogenous factors.