Mechanism of Muscular Paralysis by Insulin with Particular Reference to Familial Periodic Paralysis

Abstract

OFFERIJNS et al.¹ have shown that insulin exerts a paralysing effect on the isolated diaphragm, of rats fed on a potassium-free diet. A close similarity seems to exist between this experimental muscle paralysis in rats and the familial hypokalaemic periodic paralysis in man. In both cases, the contraction in response to indirect as well as to direct stimulation is depressed, insulin and low potassium concentration in the extracellular fluid are important causative factors, and the contraction is restored when the extracellular potassium concentration [K]₀ is increased. These facts led us to investigate further the mechanism of the muscular paralysis induced by insulin.