A Comparison of Insulin-like Activity Contained in the Serum Proteins of Normal Subjects and Diabetic Patients

The concentration of the insulin-like activity in serum protein fractions of normal subjects and diabetic patients was found to be (greatest in the beta globulins and in the fastermoving gamma globulins. Diabetics have nearly twice the normal Concentration of ILA in these fractions. Thus, a characteristic previously demonstrated in intact serum of diabetics has now been extended to specific protein fractions. After glucose loading, normal individuals increased the concentration of ILA in those serum protein fractions which were already most concentrated in the fasting state. The diabetics, on the other hand, increased the concentration of ILA much more slowly than normal, and this increase was in found in protien fractions different from those found to be increased in normal people. Interpretations ot these findings have been discussed.