Hyperglycemic Response to Massive Doses of Commercial Insulin

Commercial insulin in massive doses produces an initial hyperglycemic when given to normal rabbits. Large doses, 15 U./kg., of commercial insulin produce a higher plasma glucose than a smaller dose, 2 U./kg., of the same insulin during a period of thirty minutes following the injection. The initial hyperglycemia and the delay of hypoglycemia appear to be due to glucagon in commercial insulin preparations. As little as 0.1 per cent by weight of glucagon will produce this effect. With multiple injections of large doses of insulin every thirty minutes, an evaluation of plasma glucose is seen after each injection and hypoglycemia can be greatly delayed. A qualitatively similar response is also seen in alloxan diabetic rabbits. It is felt that the hyperglycemic effect might be of importance in the treatment of insulin resistance and might explain some cases of acute insulin resistance.