A METABOLIC STUDY OF A DIABETIC PATIENT: THE EFFECT OF VARIATIONS IN THE DOSAGE OF INSULIN UPON ADRENAL CORTICAL ACTIVITY AND UPON WATER, ELECTROLYTE AND NITROGEN EXCRETION 1

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Metabolic observations were made upon a patient with diabetes mellitus and mongolism over 15-day periods during which crystalline insulin was administered in dosage levels which would permit max. glycosuria without ketonuria, moderate glycosuria, aglycosuria with hyperglycemia, and normoglycemia. The dosage of insulin exerted a significant influence upon the rate of corticosteroid excretion and the eosinophile count, as well as upon the rates of excretion of water, electrolytes and nitrogen. The admn. of large doses of insulin resulted in the occurrence of frequent insulin reactions and in measurable increases in the rate of corticosteroid excretion. The admn. of small doses which just prevented ketonuria exerted no detectable effect upon the rate of corticosteroid excretion or the eosinophile count although a heavy glycosuria ensued. Urine volumes were max. during the periods of attempted normoglycemia. There were no significant alterations in Na and Cl excretion rates except during the initial period of max. glycosuria. During the early phases of this period a loss of salt accompanied that of glucose. The rate of excretion of K and N varied inversely with the dose of insulin administered.