A group of insulin-dependent diabetic patients was studied in order to determine the possible short-term regulatory effect of insulin and that of an antilipolytic drug on serum triglycerides.
Subcutaneous crystalline insulin (one third of the usual morning dose of intermediate long-acting insulin, NPH) and an oral dose of 5(3-piridyl) tetrazole, 800 mg., were administered.
During the three-hour period of the study, the amount of both substances was sufficient to suppress free fatty acids and to produce a progressive lowering of serum triglycerides without significant changes in serum cholesterol. However, although the level of blood sugar was normalized with insulin, it did not change with the administration of 5(3-piridyl) tetrazole. The rate of fall of plasma free fatty acids and serum triglycerides was similar in both substances and positively correlated with its basal concentration.
