Species Difference in the Biosynthesis of Vitamin C and Response to Diabetogenic Substances

Abstract

Tidwell and Axelrod¹ have recently confirmed the views of Nath and Brahmachari² regarding the initial stimulation of islet cells and excess production of internal insulin in the experimental animals by injection of intermediary fat metabolites, especially sodium aceto-acetate. Their findings that the condition of hyperglycæmia cannot be developed in rats even after the injection of sodium aceto-acetate for 28 days (daily dose 18 mgm. per 100 gm. body-weight) also confirm the recent findings of Nath and Brahmachari³, who observed a 50 per cent increase in the potency of the pancreatic insulin of the treated guinea pigs in about twenty-five days, and a marked decrease in the activity of internal insulin only on prolonged injection for about seventy days.