Factors Influencing Development of Insulin-Induced Hypoglycemic Convulsions in the Rabbit

Abstract

Summary

Of a group of 12 rabbits treated with “convulsive” doses of insulin, only 7 responded with convulsions. Except for the occurrence of convulsions, the reactors could not be distinguished from the non-reactors in the glycemic response to the first insulin injection, in response to epinephrine administration, or in liver glycogen. Significant differences were obtained in body weights and in the glycemic response to the second insulin injection. The latter was realted to an unexplained increase in insulin sensitivity in the reactors. No change ion sensitivity occurred in the non-reactors.