Endocrine Function of the Pancreas in Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Clinical studies on the endocrine function of the pancreas in diabetes mellitus were performed before and after treatment. Mean serum insulin activity expressed as glucose uptake of the diaphragm was 0.97 mg. per unit weight of the diaphragm in type I diabetics before treatment, while in type II it was -0.33. Type I diabetics did not show an increase in serum insulin activity after the dietary treatment, however type II did show an increase. A significant correlation between serum insulin activity and fasting blood sugar was observed before treatment. Serum insulin activity after the administration of glucose increases in seven out of twelve cases of type I diabetics and five out of ten cases of type II diabetics. The increase in serum insulin activity, however, was not observed in five out of twelve cases of type I diabetics and five out of ten cases of type II. The mean levels of plasma glucagon-like activity before treatment were 5.5, 46.8 and 54.0μg. per dl. in normal subjects, type I diabetics and type II diabetics, respectively. Glucagon-like activity decreased after treatment in both types of diabetics. In several diabetics, whose diabetic state was not improved, it did not decrease. There was observed a significant correlation between glucagon-like activity in plasma and fasting blood sugar. The mean ratios of α to β cells in islets of the pancreas were 1:5.59, 1:5.04 and 1:4.03 for non-diabetics, type I diabetics and type II diabetics, respectively.