Studies on the Influence of the Anterior Lobe of the Pituitary on Carbohydrate Metabolism

Scott, Laurance D. W (1940) Studies on the Influence of the Anterior Lobe of the Pituitary on Carbohydrate Metabolism. MD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

(1) The injection of anterior pituitary extract in human subjects causes an increase in glucose tolerance in the majority of cases. In the minority an initial decrease in glucose tolerance is observed but this disappears when the injections are continued. In those instances where a gain in tolerance results from the injections, the peak value of the blood sugar curve before the extract is given is usually more than 150 mg. ; in the cases showing a decrease in glucose tolerance after the injections the peak value is usually less than 150 mg. (2) When posterior pituitary extract is administered in the same way as anterior pituitary extract the results are similar, both as regards the effects on glucose tolerance and the difference in the peak values of the 2 groups. (3) The injection of adrenalin hydrochloride under the same conditions leads to an increase in glucose tolerance in the great majority of cases, any loss of tolerance produced in this way being rare. (4) When extracts of the anterior and posterior lobes of the pituitary are given to human subjects it is possible to alter the response of the subjects by changing the daily intake of carbohydrate. When a high carbohydrate diet is being taken the injection/injection of pituitary extract usually causes a decrease in glucose tolerance, while when a low carbohydrate diet is being taken the usual effect of the extract is to cause a gain in sugar tolerance. The relationship between the carbohydrate intake and the nature of the response to pituitary extract is close, but is not absolute since exceptions to the general rule occur. (5) If the injections of pituitary extract are continued while the individual is taking a high carbohydrate diet the ultimate effect is that tolerance is regained, and a progressive loss of tolerance to glucose cannot be secured in this way. (6) When certain individuals are suddenly changed from a low to high carbohydrate diet there is a temporary loss of glucose tolerance, and it is necessary to wait for a period of from 14 to 17 days before normal tolerance is regained. (7) When a group of individuals are subjected to the same conditions of low carbohydrate intake the loss of glucose tolerance varies considerably from one case to another. (8) The injection of adrenalin over a period of some days is capable of preventing to some extent the loss of tolerance to glucose which normally occurs when a low carbohydrate diet is being taken. (9) In the presence of an infection the injection of anterior pituitary extract usually results in a decrease in glucose tolerance. When the injections are continued there is no evidence that a progressive diminution in glucose tolerance can be produced in this way.

• Item Type: Thesis (MD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: Medicine, Endocrinology, Physiology
• Date of Award: 1940
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:1940-80229
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 31 Mar 2020 09:09
• Last Modified: 31 Mar 2020 09:09
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/80229