Sect. V, 1922 [43] Trans. R.S.C. 



VII. The Effect of Insulin on the Excretion of Ketone Bodies by the 



Diabetic Dog 



By F. G. Banting, M.B., C. H. Best, M.A., J. B. Collip, Ph.D., 

 and J. J. R. Macleod, M.B., Ch.B., F.R.S.C. 



(Read May Meeting, 1922) 



As the production and excretion of ketone bodies is one of the 

 cardinal symptoms of the diabetic individual the effect of the ad- 

 ministration of extracts of pancreas containing the active principle 

 of the gland (insulin) upon the excretion of these substances by 

 depancreated dogs was studied. This study was initiated before a 

 purified extract was produced. The extracts used were made by 

 alcoholic extraction of the whole gland of the ox, the alcohol being 

 subsequently removed by vacuum distillation. They had a fair 

 degree of potency but contained considerable protein, lipoid and salt 

 and were relatively very crude as compared with later products. 

 The results obtained, however, show in a very striking manner the 

 influence upon the excretion of ketone bodies, a fact which has sub- 

 sequently been confirmed on clinical cases (cf. Canadian Medical 

 Association Journal, March, 1922). 



The animals used were depancreated and placed in metabolism 

 cages. The urine was collected over twenty-four hours periods and 

 the total excretion of ketone bodies determined by the method of 

 Van Slyke.^ When a very definite ketonuria had developed extract 

 was administered by subcutaneous injection. 



The results are shown in the accompanying table: 



iVan Slyke, D.D., Jour. Biol. Chem., 1917, 32, 455. 



