THE RESISTANCE OF SURVIVING SPINAL ANIMALS TO HYPOGLYCEMIA INDUCED BY INSULIN

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Abstract
Surviving spinal animals with the cord transected in the cervical region have a diminished resistance to insulin. Hypoglycemia activates the sympathetic system of a spinal cat to such an extent that 0.5 unit of insulin per kgm. is never fatal, and usually a cat can recover from 1 unit per kgm. After inactivation of the adrenals, however, 0.5 unit of insulin per kgm. ia always fatal. Convulsions are eliminated by cervical transection of the cord though other hypoglycemic symptoms occur. These observations indicate that a hypoglycemia induced by insulin which does produce strong sympathico-adrenal activity in the normal cat can likewise induce activity of this system in a spinal cat in which all nervous connections between higher centers and the spinal thoraco-lumbar sympathetic outflow have been cut. These results afford further evidence for the existence of a spinal mechanism capable of exerting some influence on the peripheral sympathico-adrenal system.

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