Effects of Partial Adrenalectomy on Experimental Diabetes and on Sensitivity to Insulin

Abstract

In view of evidence (1) that the severity of pancreatic diabetes is greatly diminished by previous hypophysectomy, (2) that hypophysectomy leads to some atrophy of the adrenals and (3) that the adrenals are in some way connected with carbohydrate metabolism, it seemed necessary to reinvestigate in more detail the effects of adrenalectomy on pancreatic diabetes. The literature will not be reviewed here but it is sufficient to say that the reports have been conflicting and inconclusive. Nine dogs have been used in our studies, 5 of which have had the pancreas removed.

In 3 cases the adrenal on one side was removed first and the pancreas removed 10-18 days later. These animals received no insulin and 2 of them are still alive, now 22 days since pancreatectomy. The third animal died from an infection. These animals showed a mild glycosuria but not as severe as is usually found after extirpation of the pancreas. Within a few days the sugar excretion fell to the level found in dogs following hypophysectomy and pancreatectomy. One animal failed to eat part of the time (probably due to a respiratory infection) and under these circumstances no glycosuria was present. In 2 dogs the pancreas was removed first and the animals put on a constant diet with insulin twice daily. Later, one adrenal was removed and in one case the quantity of insulin necessary to maintain the same degree of slight glycosuria was approximately one-half as great as before the adrenalectomy. In the other animal insulin was stopped after the removal of one adrenal and the glycosuria was only mild. The animals are gradually losing weight and becoming weaker, although they apparently feel well and have good appetites. The fasting (overnight) blood sugar of these animals varied from 82 to 290 mg. per 100 cc.