Abstract
Discussion and Conclusion
1. The results on the hypothermic action of insulin are in line with the observations of Dworkin and Finney, 1 who found that when a woodchuck was given enough insulin to produce hypoglycemia, it lost its temperature control and could readily be put into a state of “artificial hibernation.” We also confirm their observation that the administration of glucose to cooled hypoglycemic animals resulted in the rise of their body temperature.
The results reported here give support to a thesis that available glucose is essential for the maintenance of normal body temperature.
2. Insulin hypoglycemia is prolonged by cooling the animal. Whether this is due to a reduction in the rate of gluconeogenesis (as a result of cooling), or due to a prolongation of insulin action cannot be definitely established at this time.
3. The survival period of rabbits receiving lethal doses of insulin is prolonged by cooling to temperatures below 30° C. It has been established that cooling to temperatures below 30°C greatly reduces the rate of metabolism, 2 as well as inhibiting or stopping insulin convulsions. 3
The hypothesis is offered that both the increase in the survival period and the inhibition of convulsions in cooled animals receiving massive doses of insulin are a result of the decreased metabolic rate and the subsequent decreased demand for foodstuffs by the vital centers of the brain.
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