Failure of 2-deoxy-D-glucose and 5-thio-D-glucose to kill hypoxic cells of two murine tumors

We have administered the glycolysis inhibitors 2-deoxy-D-glucose and 5-thio-D-glucose to C3H/HeJ mice bearing KHT or 16/C transplantable tumors to seek evidence for hypoxic cell toxicity in vivo. The drugs were given (a) with or without insulin, (b) as large single doses or as multiple hourly injections, and (c) alone or immediately after the tumors had received radiation to kill most of the aerobic cell population. Tumor response was assessed by growth delay or by lung colony assay. Limiting toxicity of 2-deoxy-D-glucose and 5-thio-D-glucose was neurological, leading to seizures and/or death, and this toxicity was increased by insulin. The drugs had at most minimal effects on the growth of either untreated or irradiated tumors at maximal tolerated doses. Despite the known selective toxicity of these glucose analogues for hypoxic cells in tissue culture, we have found them to be ineffective in killing hypoxic cells of two murine tumors.

Mutagenic effects of irradiated glucose in Drosophila melanogaster

The mutagenic effects of irradiated glucose were studied using the sex-linked recessive lethal test in Drosophila melanogaster. Oregon K males of D. melanogaster reared on a medium containing 20 or 40% glucose irradiated with a dose of 0.02, 0.10, 0.20, 2 or 5 Mrad gamma-rays were scored for the induction of sex-linked recessive lethals. The results showed no significant increase in the frequency of X-lethals in Drosophila at any of the dose levels.

The effect of intraocular irrigating solutions on lens clarity in normal and diabetic rabbits

We conducted a series of experiments on normal and diabetic rabbits to evaluate the effect of intraocular irrigating solutions on the lens. Lenticular clarity was studied in vivo in eyes undergoing vitreous cavity perfusions with various irrigating solutions. The clarity of isolated lenses incubated in these same solutions was also evaluated. In order to quantitate the cataractous changes observed, we measured the uptake of inulin (tagged with radioactive carbon) by isolated lenses. We found that balanced salt solution (BSS) and BSS Plus maintain excellent lens clarity in normal rabbits; that diabetic lenses are more likely to develop opacification than normal lenses, becoming cataractous when exposed to BSS Plus; and that adding supplemental glucose to BSS Plus allows this solution to maintain excellent lens clarity in diabetic rabbits.

Experimental approach to the pathogenesis of the anomalies of amniotic disease

By intra-adnexal injection of glucose in the rabbit embryo, we were able to stimulate all the anomalies associated with "Amniotic Disease". Since we were even able to obtain amniotic bands, this study provides an excellent experimental model of this disease. Resulting lesions occur early in development, corresponding to the first trimester of human gestation. All of the anomalies can ultimately be explained by the destruction of the most superficial cells: epiblastic cells of the embryo and the amnion, subjacent mesenchyme, and endothelial cells. The subsequent lack of interaction between these cells and the importance of the anatomical localizations of resulting hematomas can lead to the pathogenetic approach to this disease. In light of the present study, the disease appears to be caused by an external factor within the amniotic fluid. The exact nature of the destructive agent(s) remains a mystery in man.

Survival of pleomorphic sarcoma-37 transplanted virgin female DBA/2J mice: effects produced by high blood glucose levels alone and in combination with drugs

Procedures for producing, monitoring, and maintaining 3-hr 400-500-mg% whole blood glucose levels in Sarcoma-37 (S-37) transplanted virgin female inbred DBA/2J mice are described. Aqueous infused 40% (w/v) dextrose was evaluated as a potential therapeutic factor. The effects of procedural variations on treatment survival and longevity are discussed. One hundred percent infusion safety and 25% increased longevity over nontreated transplanted mice were achieved. Doxorubicin and/or dacarbazine were also evaluated when administered prior to the dextrose infusion. Doxorubicin followed by intravenous dextrose increased survivor longevity by 37%, but this combination was unsafe at the drug dosages employed. A large dose of dacarbazine was safe and effective alone but unsafe when given prior to the infusion, although the survivors lived 29% longer than the untreated transplanted controls. Both drugs were marginally effective, but safe, when given together. When given together prior to the infusion, only 87% survived the treatment. The survivors lived 6 days longer than the controls.

[Treatment of acute pancreatitis by glucagon. Experimental studies in dogs]

The authors made a comparative study of the use of glucagon (4 mg/day IV) in 30 dogs with acute pancreatitis. They found that the mortality and amylasemia were significantly lower in the glucagon-treated group than in the control groups (saline and glucose solution 5%). In the glucagon group, the areas of necrosis were smaller (1.5 cm) and rarely found; microscopically, the areas of necrosis and the inflammatory reaction were much smaller than in the other groups. These findings lead to the conclusion that the beneficial action of glucagon is due to another mechanism other than its hyperglycemic effect and that the administration of hypertonic solutions of glucose does not have a beneficial effect in acute pancreatitis.

Stimulation of insulin secretion by pancreozymin

The peripheral injection of pancreozymin in dogs at doses greater than one-eighth dog unit/kg, has been shown to produce an abrupt rise in portal vein plasma insulin. A dose of 0.5 U./kg. proved to be a more potent stimulus of insulin secretion than 0.5 gm./kg. of glucose. A combination of pancreozymin and glucose produced more pronounced hyperinsulinemia than the sum of the two given separately. Repeated injections of pancreozymin appear to have a decreasing stimulatory effect. Pancreozymin produced a decrease in free fatty acids but did not lower plasma glucose.