Action of Neutral Red on the Secretion of Glucagon and Glucose Metabolism in the Rat

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Abstract
Neutral red induces marked hyperglycemia in the rat. In order to determine the mechanism of this action, the effects of pretreatment with cortisone, fasting, adrenodemedullation, pancreatectomy, and the induction of alloxan diabetes on the response of the blood sugar and the glycogen content of the liver and muscle to the injection of neutral red and the microscopic appearance of the pancreas were studied. The results indicate that this acute action of the dye is a response to stimulation of the alpha cells of the pancreas and the release of glucagon. Prolonged administration of neutral red, on the other hand, induced chronic hypoglycemia, comparable to the clinical condition attributed to glucagon deficiency. The results of the present study afford further evidence for the role of glucagon in the animal economy. Neutral red by its specific action on the alpha cells of the pancreatic islets is a useful tool for the study of glucagon metabolism and for the induction of glucagon deficiency.