AGENTS PROMOTING GASTROINTESTINAL ABSORPTION OF INSULIN

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Abstract
Mixtures of insulin and a variety of pharmacodynamic agents of known general properties and effects were tested for absorption in ligated in-testinal loops and per rectum in rabbits, gastric adm. in mice and rats, and oral and rectal adm. in men. The criteria of insulin absorption were hypoglycemia and con- vulsions in animals and hypoglycemia in men. The most effective and consistent promoters of insulin absorption in animals were surface tension lowering agents, alcohols, astringents, and a variety of protoplasmic poisons and antiseptics and the quinine salts. Simple hyperemia, foreign agents, and fats were ineffective. The important factors for enteral absorption of insulin were enzymic inhibition and some local cell surface action, both being satisfied by the use of quinine sulfate. Quinine with insulin by mouth resulted in definite, though fleeting, hypoglycemia in normal persons, thus confirming positive results in animals. Saponin alone, or in mixture with dyes, was too irritating and objectionable by mouth, or per rectum, for use clinically, contrary to claims by others.