382 



4. ALLOXAN 



mice are characterized by islet hyperplasia and high pancreatic insulin 

 levels, hyperinsulinemia, and abnormal adipose tissue metabolism. Instead 

 of producing a sustained rise in blood glycose, alloxan causes a marked 

 fall from the initially high levels (see accompanying tabulation). No ex- 



Blood glucose (mg%) 



Initially 

 After 3 days 

 After 28 days 

 After 56 days 



planation for this paradoxidal effect could be given but it may be an im- 

 portant observation which could help in solving the problem of the mechan- 

 ism by which alloxan acts on the /?-cells. 



Fig. 4-3. Blood glucose changes in rabbits after 



intravenous injection of 200 mg/kg alloxan. 



(From Goldner and Gomori, 1944.) 



During the diabetic hyperglycemic phase the blood levels of pyruvate, 

 a-ketoglutarate, acetone, and acetoacetate are markedly elevated in rats 



