[Insulin metabolism and its interaction with specific cytoplasmic membrane receptors of the liver in alloxan diabetes in rats]

Abstract

Biosynthesis of insulin, its degradation in liver tissue and binding with specific receptors of cytoplasmic membranes were studied in rats with alloxage diabetes and in normal state. Content of sugar was approximately 372 +/- 25 mg/100 ml of blood in animals, treated with alloxane within 5 days, as compared with 83 +/- 7 mg of sugar per 100 ml of blood in the control group; content of insulin was also decreased in blood plasma to 12.1 +/- +/- 2.0 mU/ml as compared with 49.8 +/- 3.8 mU/ml controls. In rats with alloxane diabetes biosynthesis of insulin was increased, its degradation in liver tissue was lowered and binding of insulin with specific receptors of liver c itoplasmic membranes was elevated. The decreased degradation of the hormone together with deficiency in its formation, even though the rate of its synthesis and binding with receptors were increased, served as a compensatory mechanism due to impairment of a considerable part of beta-cells on baàkground of the alloxane treatment.