The Effect of Oral and Intravenous D-Ribose on Plasma Insulin Levels in Unanesthetized Dogs

Abstract

The administration of D-ribose was followed quickly by a sharp rise in plasma insulin levels in 9 awake, alert, unstressed dogs (16 experiments). The elevated insulin levels occurred while blood glucose levels remained constant or dropped. Oral administration of ribose was not as effective as intravenous administration in causing insulin release. Thus the mechanism of action of ribose in these experiments does not appear to be associated with any gastrointestinal factor.