SECRETION OF IMMUNOREACTIVE INSULIN AND GLUCAGON IN HAMSTERS BEARING A TRANSPLANTABLE INSULOMA

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  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 2  (4) , 165-169
Abstract
Glucose, insulin (IRI), pancreatic (IRG) and total (GLI) immunoreactive glucagon were measured in the serum of normal hamsters [Mesocricetus auratus auratus] and of hamsters with an insulin- and glucagon-secreting, transplantable insuloma. The tumor-bearing animals were hypoglycemic, hyperinsulinemic and hyperglucagonemic. The pancreatic islets of tumor-bearing animals secreted less glucagon and insulin in response to arginine or to changes in the glucose concentration of the medium, than did the islets of control hamsters. The introduction of glucose into the gastro-intestinal tract, which caused a significant rise in the serum GLI concentration of normal hamsters, failed to do so in the tumor-bearing animals. The high levels of serum glucagon and insulin induced by the tumor probably suppressed IRI, IRG and GLI secretion in these animals.