Trypsin and insulin injections into the pancreatico-duodenal artery

Abstract

According to Epstein 1 and co-workers, injection of trypsin, insulin, or saline solutions into the pancreatico-duodenal artery results in a hyperglycæmia and glycosuria in cats. Injection of trypsin into the portal vein also causes hyperglycemia, but NaCl or insulin does not lead to hyperglycæmia. On the basis of these results, certain conclusions were reached concerning the nature of the diabetic condition.

We have repeated these experiments on dogs, under conditions similar to those of Epstein and co-workers, with negative results. In no instance did glycosuria occur, nor were any marked increases of the blood sugar produced by the injection of solutions of trypsin, insulin or sodium chloride into the pancreatico-duodenal artery of dogs under amytal anesthesia. Following the injection of insulin into the pancreatic artery, the typical fall of blood sugar was regularly observed.