Effect of short term vitamin A deficiency on organ weights, blood glucose and lactate levels and, tissue protein and glycogen contents of albino rats: a preliminary study.

The effect of short term dietary vitamin A deficiency in post-pubertal female rats in terms of weight gain, food consumption, organ weights, haemoglobin content, blood glucose and lactate levels and, tissue protein and glycogen contents has been evaluated to gain insight into the possible interrelationship between vitamin A and general metabolism. Significant elevation in blood glucose level and reduction in blood lactate and haemoglobin along with a tendency of reduction in weights of spleen, adrenals and ovaries have been noted. Lowered tissue protein and glycogen contents and reduced body weight gain have also been revealed. Obviously, reduced functional competence of some of the organs and certain alterations in general metabolism especially of carbohydrates are suspected and hence is discussed in relation to supportive evidences available.

Effect of cholinesterase inhibitors on acetylcholine and insulin induced glucose uptake and certain hepatic enzymes in pigeon liver: an in vitro study.

Insulin and acetylcholine (ACh) are both known to promote glucose uptake by liver of birds. Acetylcholine induced glucose uptake can be predictably potentiated by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase activity. Monocrotophos, acothione (organophosphorus compound) and prostigmine are known inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). In the present study the action of these three inhibitors of AChE alone as well as in combination with insulin and acetylcholine on in vitro glucose uptake by pigeon liver slices was investigated. Both organophorus compounds potentiated the action of insulin as well as acetycholine mediated glucose uptake by liver slices while prostigmine had inhibitory influence. The three compounds also induced alterations in enzyme activities in the liver slices. These results are discussed in detail in the text.

Effect of ACTH on glucose uptake by hepatic cells and its effect on hepatic enzymes in presence of insulin and acetylcholine.

An intrinsic hypoglycaemic activity has been attributed to ACTH. This action of ACTH is essentially mediated by increased insulin secretion. In the present study, the direct action of ACTH on glucose uptake by pigeon hepatocytes has been studied by in vitro technique. The results have shown that ACTH has a direct influence on glucose uptake and this action is not additive in presence of insulin. Glucose uptake in presence ACTH with Acetylcholine was not any more than what was obtained with ACTH alone. These observations have been taken to indicate a non-existence of synergistic action of ACTH with insulin or acetylcholine in promoting glucose uptake by avian liver cells.