Effect of insulin and excess glucose on the carbohydrates, water and fat contents of the tissues of Clarias lazera

Abstract

1. The effect of administration of single dose (0.01 U/g), as well as double dose of insulin (0.02 U/g body weight), on the carbohydrate, water and lipid content of the different tissues of Clarias lazera was worked out. 2. When using a single dose of insulin (0.01 U/g) in presence of excess glucose (4 g/kg body weight after supplying distributed over a period of 40 days), a pronounced increase in carbohydrate content was shown in all the tissues studied. After the use of double doses of insulin, a decrease in glycogen content occurs only in the liver and brain tissues. 3. After the administration of a single dose of insulin in the body of Clarias, the lipid content increases in the tissues of blood, spleen, skin, respiratory organs, gonads, plain muscle of stomach, liver and heart muscles. The increase in the percentage of fat in the remaining tissues was less obvious. After the use of double doses of insulin, the level of fat in the tissues was comparatively low. 4. The level of glycogen in the different tissues studied was comparatively low when using insulin and excess glucose together rather than using the same dose of glucose only, and still lower when using the same dose of insulin only. 5. The lipid content of the tissues of insulinised Clarias in presence of excess glucose is higher than is the case when the same dose of glucose or insulin is seperately administered into the body of experimental animal.