Reproducibility of the oral glucose tolerance test and the rice-meal test in mild diabetics

Reproducibility of 100 gm. oral glucose tolerance test and of Sakaguchi's rice-meal test were studied in sixty untreated mild diabetic patients with fasting blood sugar below 140 mg. per 100 ml. (Hagedorn-Jensen method). The tests were performed twice within a one-week interval. There were considerable variations of blood sugar levels in the same individuals between the duplicate tests. Variations were of similar magnitude after glucose or rice-meal and were smaller for the fasting blood sugar. There was no positive relationship between blood sugar levels after loading and their variability. Such a relationship was, however, clearly demonstrated for the fasting blood sugar levels of 360 newly referred diabetics. Average blood sugar levels and standard deviations for each group remained very stable despite individual variability. Implications of the data on evaluation of the results of these oral tests are discussed.

Studies of glucose metabolism immediately following total pancreatectomy

Blood sugar changes were studied in anesthetized dogs before and after pancreatectomy, which was carried out in two stages, the latter being relatively atraumatic. The blood sugar remained normal for 1.5 to 4 hrs. after total pancreatectomy, then increased to the diabetic level.

Comparison of glucose tolerance before and immediately after acute pancreatectomy revealed no significant change by either intravenous or intraduodenal route.

Thus, a sudden cessation of insulin supply does not necessarily result in immediate hyperglycemia. A normal glucose tolerance appears possible temporarily in the absence of any increase in insulin secretion.