Effect of High Concentrations of Glucose on Fibroblasts,Leucocytes,and Epithelial Cells

Abstract

Conclusions

Under the conditions of these experiments, fibroblasts from a 24-year-old strain tolerate glucose concentrations of 390, 650, and 1,150 mg. % over a period of 7 days. There is no evidence of an inhibiting or toxic effect. The higher concentrations, namely, 2,090 and 3,200 mg. %, have an inhibiting effect from the very beginning and are ultimately toxic.∗

Blood leucocytes are more sensitive and less tolerant to abnormal concentrations of glucose, as shown by the fact that these cells deteriorate more quickly in the higher concentrations of glucose than do fibroblasts and epithelial cells. Migration of the polymorphonuclear cells is stimulated by concentrations of 390, 650, and 1,150 mg. %. These concentrations do not injure the cells. The higher concentrations, although stimulating in the beginning, later become inhibiting and quite toxic. The monocytes appear to be stimulated by glucose in all the concentrations except the very highest. The cells are active in all, but appear coarsely granular in the three highest concentrations. The 3,200 mg. % concentration is, in fact, toxic.∗

Iris epithelial cells tolerate each concentration of glucose except that of 3,200 mg. %.∗ In the latter, the cells become granular. However, after transfer into ordinary nutrient medium, all the cultures recover and grow normally.