Changes in plasma insulin levels in response to enterai administration of insulin have been studied in rabbits.
Insulin, when administered to the stomach, did not cause hypoglycemia at doses up to 150 U./kg. When insulin at doses over 40 U./kg. was infused to the upper jejunum via an indwelling catheter, there was a slight but significant increase in plasma insulin levels, followed by a significant fall in blood glucose. A considerable increase in plasma insulin was observed when insulin at doses over 20 U./kg. was infused to the Thiry-Velia loop of the jejunum in which no pancreatic secretion entered. With a dose of 100 U./kg., the mean plasma insulin rose promptly to the peak of 241 μU./ml., followed by a severe hypoglycemia.
As judged by hypoglycemie and immunological responses, insulin can be absorbed from the intestine in a physiologically active form, but the fraction absorbed is relatively small.
