Abstract
Abstract
The effects of insulin deficiency and of its correction on mandibular growth in relation to bodily growth were investigated. Diabetes mellitus was induced by a sc injection of alloxan (20 mg/100 g body wt). One group of diabetic rats received daily sc injections of protamin zinc insulin (PZI; 3 U/100 g body wt) for 38 days. A second group of diabetic rats and a group of normal animals received injections of PZI vehicle. It was found that untreated diabetes was associated with a significant retardation of mandibular growth as judged by the lengths of the rami and corpora. This retardation was prevented by the administration of PZI. Bodily growth, as judged by body weight of untreated diabetics, was also retarded. The administration of PZI entirely corrected the deficiency in mandibular growth, but only partially that of bodily growth.
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