Rural-Urban Comparison of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Assam, India: A Hospital Based Cross-sectional Study.

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder adversely affecting fertility and reproductive health with diverse clinical manifestations in women. Aim: The objectives of the present study are to determine and compare the prevalence of PCOS between rural and urban Assamese women in Guwahati, Assam. Methods: A total of 150 (75 rural; 75 urban) Assamese women aged 18-35 years have been collected at Pratiksha Hospital, Guwahati, Assam. The relevant data were collected through self-administered pre-structured and interview methods. Results: Higher prevalence of PCOS was found in the urban areas living in nuclear families in comparison to rural areas. Recent weight gain and obesity with a higher prevalence of oligomenorrhea were found to be higher among the urban participants. An excess androgen activity evidenced by increased hirsutism was higher in the urban areas as compared to rural areas in association with increased levels of serum insulin. Conclusion: A long-term personalized management program is required for effectively treating individuals with PCOS which may help in regulating the symptoms and various other metabolic complications.

Significance of serum insulin combined with cardiac markers in evaluating sepsis associated encephalopathy / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective:To explore the clinical value of serum insulin combined with cardiac-related markers in evaluating the severity of sepsis associated encephalopathy (SAE).Methods:The clinical data of 130 children with sepsis who admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of Hunan Children's Hospital from January 2018 to December 2021 were analyzed retrospectively, and the differences of serum insulin and cardiac-related markers in children with sepsis and SAE were compared.Results:The levels of serum insulin, creatine kinase isoenzyme, hypersensitive troponin T, and N-terminal cerebral urine peptide in the SAE group were significantly higher than those in the non-SAE group ( P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in heart rate and lactic acid ( P>0.05). The levels of serum insulin, creatine kinase isoenzyme, hypersensitive troponin T, N-terminal cerebral urine peptide and lactic acid in the death group were significantly higher than those in the survival group ( P<0.05), while the heart rate was not significantly different ( P>0.05). The area under ROC curve of serum insulin, creatine kinase isoenzyme, hypersensitive troponin T, and N-terminal cerebral urine peptide in predicting SAE were 0.841, 0.599, 0.700, and 0.667, respectively; in terms of judging the prognosis of sepsis, the area under ROC curve were 0.647, 0.669, 0.645, and 0.683, respectively; and in terms of judging the prognosis of children with SAE, the areas under the ROC curve were 0.509, 0.682, 0.666 and 0.555, respectively. Binary logistic regression equation was established with serum insulin, creatine kinase isoenzyme, hypersensitive troponin T, and N-terminal cerebral urine peptide: Y=8.153×NT-proBNP+1.704×CTnT-hs+27.121×insulin+0.946×CK-MB+1.573. The area under the ROC curve of the new variable Y in predicting sepsis SAE, evaluating the prognosis of sepsis, and predicting the prognosis of children with sepsis and SAE was 0.890, 0.756, and 0.729, respectively. Conclusions:Serum insulin, creatine kinase isoenzyme, hypersensitive troponin T, and N-terminal cerebral urine peptide can be used alone to determine the severity of sepsis and sepsis in children with SAE. The combined value of the four indicators is obviously better than that of the single indicator. The combined application of the four indicators may better evaluate the severity of sepsis and SAE.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome among adolescent and young women: a hospital based observational study in a tertiary care teaching Hospital

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorder among women of fertile age. The incidence of PCOS as claimed by various observer ranges from 2.2% to as high as 26%. India is considered as an emerging epidemic area for PCOS and limited studies are done. Hence aim of this study is to find the prevalence of PCOS and determine the associated determining factors in adolescent girls.Methods: All the girls aged 15-24 years were approached and after undergoing detailed history, examination and investigations were further diagnosed as PCOS. The study subjects were then classified into two group: the PCOS and non-PCOS group and compared to determine significant differences as per the Rotterdam criteria.Results: The prevalence of PCOS was 7.5%, 18.68% and 11.18% as per NIH, Rotterdam and AES criteria respectively. BMI more than 30, waist circumference > 80 cm, hyperandrogenic manifestations, menstrual irregularity (oligomenorrhea) and family history of PCOS and DM showed statistically significant association with PCOS. Serum LH, LH/FSH ratio, S. Testosterones, serum insulin and HOMA-IR had significant association with PCOS. No significant association of Fasting blood sugar levels and deranged lipid profile was found with PCOS.Conclusions: PCOS is an emerging disorder during adolescents and hence awareness creation, early screening in order to inculcate early life style modifications and prevent metabolic and reproductive complications of this disease.

Pharmacological Potential Of Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract Against Streptozotocin Induced Experimental Diabetes Mellitus Model

Diabetes mellitus is a rapidly increasing incidence in the developing and developed countries throughout the world. The present investigation was performed to assess the anti–diabetic activity of Nymphaea alba flower extract against streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic condition in rat model. N.alba flower extract was orally given to experimentally induced diabetic animals (at the concentration of 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg body weight). Treatment of N.alba flower extract significantly (p < 0.05) lowered the level of blood glucose, serum insulin and HbA1C levels in experimentally induced diabetic animals in a concentration dependent fashion. A significant (p < 0.05) reduction in the levels of antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxiodase, glutathione S transferase, catalase and superoxide dismutase were observed in experimental diabetic animal model. Upon treatment with N.alba flower extract the above said antioxidant enzyme levels were reverted back to normalcy in a dose dependent fashion. The present investigation revealed that N.alba flower extract exerted strongly antidiabetic action by restoring the antioxidant system and anti–hyperglycemic activity. Consequently, it might be used as a safer harmonizing substance in the diabetic conditions.

Expression of c-myc, Bmi-1, serum insulin-like growth factor-Ⅰ and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 and their significances in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma / 白血病·淋巴瘤

Objective To detect the expressions of c-myc,Bmi-1,serum insulin-like growth factor-Ⅰ (IGF-Ⅰ) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL),and to analyze their relations with clinical stages,efficacy and prognosis.Methods 102 cases of incipient patients with DLBCL and 60 patients or health examination volunteers were chosen as DLBCL group and control group,respectively.Immunohistochemical method was used to detect expressions of c-myc and Bmi-1 in DLBCL wax samples.Chemiluminescence immunoassay method was used to determine the levels of serum IGF-Ⅰ and serum IGFBP-3.The expression differences of these factors between DLBCL group and control group and their relations with pathological types,clinical stage,IPI and chemotherapy were analyzed.Results The positive rates of c-myc and Bmi-1 were 71.6 ％ (73/102) and 61.8 ％(64/102) in the tissues of DLBCL,respectively.The positive rates of c-myc and Bmi-1 in non-GCB group were higher than those in GCB group [c-myc:80.0 ％ (48/60) vs 59.5 ％ (25/42);Bmi-1:71.7 ％ (43/60) vs 50.0 ％ (21/42)].With the increase of IPI score,the expressions of c-myc and Bmi-1 were enhanced,but there were no statistical differences between Ⅲ-Ⅳ group and Ⅰ-Ⅱ group (P ＞ 0.01).The differences of 3-year progression free survival (PFS) rate and 3-year overall survival (OS) rate between c-myc gene or Bmi-1 gene normal and abnormal had statistical significance,and 3-year PFS rate and 3-year OS rate of double-hit of c-myc gene and Bmi-1 were lower.C-myc gene and Bmi-1 gene aberrant were the independent prognosis factors.The levels of serum IGF-Ⅰ and serum IGFBP-3 in DLBCL group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P ＜ 0.01),however,the levels were increased after chemotherapy (P ＜ 0.01).Serum IGF-Ⅰ and serum IGFBP-3 levels had no significant differences between non-GCB group and GCB group (P ＞ 0.01).Their levels in stage Ⅳ group or high risk group were significantly lower than those in other groups.Serum IGF-Ⅰ level and serum IGFBP-3 level had no significant differences between the c-myc gene or Bmi-1 gene abnormal group and normal group (P ＞ 0.01),but their levels were lower in both c-myc gene and Bmi-1 gene abnormal group than those in normal group.Conclusions C-myc and Bmi-1 are related with the biological characteristics and prognosis of DLBCL.Serum IGF-Ⅰ level and serum IGFBP-3 level reflect clinical stages of DLBCL and the efficacy in a certain degree.The expressions of c-myc and Bmi-1 have some correlation with the levels of serum IGF-Ⅰ and IGFBP-3 in DLBCL.

Effect of Bloodletting Cupping on the Serum Insulin Level in Simple Obesity / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the effect of bloodletting cupping on the serum insulin level in patients with simple obesity. Methods Fifty simple obesity patients were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 25 in each group. The treatment group was intervened by bloodletting cupping, while the control group was by oral administration of Sibutramine Hydrochloride. The efficacy for losing weight and the serum insulin level were evaluated and compared before intervention and after 2 treatment courses. Results The total effective rate was 88.0%in the treatment group versus 80.0%in the control group, and the difference was statistically insignificant (P>0.05). The serum insulin levels were changed significantly in both groups after intervention (P＜0.05). After intervention, there was a significant difference in comparing the serum insulin level between the two groups (P＜0.05). Conclusion Bloodletting cupping can significantly improve the serum insulin level in patients with simple obesity.

Fasting Insulin in Essential Hypertension.

Background: An association between essential hypertension and defective insulin secretion has been identified. Objective: To estimate fasting serum insulin level in adult male with essential hypertension to observe its relationship to hypertension. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka from July 2012 to June 2013. A total number of one hundred fifty male subjects were selected with age ranging from 25 to 45 years. Seventy five male essential hypertensive were enrolled from Out- patient Department of Medicine, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka. Age matched seventy five apparently healthy males were studied as control. Fasting serum insulin level was measured by ELISA method and fasting blood glucose by glucose oxidase method. For statistical analyses, unpaired Student’s ‘t’ and Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) tests were performed. Results: Fasting serum insulin level was significantly (P<0.001) higher in essential hypertensive male patients than normotensive subjects. Fasting serum insulin level shows significant positive correlation with systolic blood pressure in hypertensive patients. Conclusion: This study reveals that essential hypertension has positive and significant relationship with fasting serum insulin level.

Elevated alanine aminotransferase activity is not associated with dyslipidemias, but related to insulin resistance and higher disease grades in non-diabetic non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore demographic and metabolic factors associated with increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity in non-diabetic non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Overall 372 patients who consecutively attended to Gastroenterology Clinic of Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran awere diagnosed as NAFLD entered into analysis. Exclusion criteria were having diabetes mellitus and fasting blood glucose over 126 mg/dL, active hepatitis B virus infection, having hepatitis C virus positive serology, and to be under corticosteroid therapy. ALT levels were considered pathologically high when it was over 30 IU/L for men and over 19 IU/L for women.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Bivariate analyses using t test and chi-square test showed that patients with pathologically augmented ALT levels had significantly higher NAFLD grades in their ultrasonographic evaluations (P=0.003). Moreover, these patients represented significantly higher homeostatic model assessment levels (P=0.003), levels of serum insulin (P=0.002), fasting blood glucose (P<0.001), and uric acid (P=0.02). The prevalence of insulin resistance was also higher in patients with increased serum ALT concentrations. Multifactorial logistic regression models showed that ultrasonographic grading of NAFLD (P=0.027) and insulin resistance (P=0.013) were the only variables significantly associated with abnormal ALT levels.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>This study shows that the associations of increased ALT serum levels in NAFLD patients are different from what are supposed before. By excluding diabetic patients from our population, we find that increased ALT levels are not associated with dyslipidemias but are independently associated with insulin resistance and NAFLD grading on ultrasonographic evaluations. Further studies are needed to confirm our results.</p>

Glycaemic Evaluation of Folk Recipe (Medicinal Plants) in Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rabbits.

Aim/Background: The present study was planned to evaluate the antidiabetic activity of ‘Folk recipe’ a combination of traditional medicinal plants in normoglycemic and alloxan-induced diabetes rabbits. The level of antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH in relation to the total phenolic contents. Methods: Antidiabetic activity of aqueous extract of Folk Recipe (AFR) in 100-300 mg/kg, b.w. doses was determined by estimating blood glucose and serum insulin levels before and 1, 2, 4, 8, 24, 48 and 72 hour post-treatment(s) intervals in treated rabbits. Total phenolic contents and DPPH-antioxidant activity of AFR were measured in vitro. Results: AFR showed a dose dependent antidiabetic activity; maximum effect was established with 300 mg/kg, b.w. dose. The extract exerted a high significant (P<0.001) hypoglycemic effect in normal and alloxan diabetic rabbits. Extract showed a significant (P<0.05) increase in insulin levels and protected completely against alloxan-induced histopathological changes in pancreatic beta-cells of diabetic rabbits. A high antioxidant activity of AFR (5-10 μg/mL) was observed in comparison with L-ascorbic acid (5-10 μg/mL). The doses used did not show any sign of acute toxicity or resulted in any behavioral change. Conclusion: From this study it may be concluded that the Folk recipe causes a reduction in blood glucose and increasing serum insulin levels may combat due to antioxidant activity by protecting beta-cells. Evaluation agreed with the potential use of Folk recipe as a traditional anti-diabetic tool.

Study of Serum Insulin Level in Hypertensive Patients.

Background and aims: Hypertension is a frequent and almost ubiquitous health disorder, prevalent both in developed and developing countries. Hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance have been suggested to be closely associated with the pathogenesis of essential hypertension. However there is considerable controversy in this regards. The present study was designed to explore the relationship between serum insulin and serum ionized calcium in non diabetic and diabetic hypertensive subjects. Subjects and Methods: A total of 57 hypertensive and diabetic hypertensive patients attending out patients department of the BIRDEM and NICVD were included in the study. Fasting serum glucose was measured by glucose oxidase method, lipid profile was measured by enzymatic method. Serum insulin was measured by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method and serum ionized calcium by the Ion Sensitive Electrode (ISE) technique. Results: Glucose-insulin ratios were calculated as the index for insulin. Serum insulin (pmol/ml), Mean ± SD, 147 ± 48 in DC and 170 ± 80 in DH groups vs 118 ± 21 in NC and 120 ± 41 in EH groups, p= 0.023 and p= 0.031 respectively. Although, from the serum insulin results, the diabetic groups seemed to have insulin resistance, the glucose-insulin ratios in the two groups were significantly lower compared to nondiabetic groups (Glucose-insulin ratio, mmol/pmol, 0.066 ± 0.025 in DC, 0.074 ± 0.025 in DH vs 0.044 ± 0.11 in NC, 0.043 ± 0.012 in EH, p= 0.005 - 0.0001). The serum ionized calcium in the healthy subject, first time reported in the country by an up to date method (1.17 ± 0.05 M ± SD), were within the range found in healthy subjects of the other populations. No significant difference in the serum Ca2+ could be found between any of the study groups. Also, serum Ca2+ did not correlate with blood pressure, glucose or insulin in any of the study groups or with all the patients as a whole. Serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDLc and LDLc levels in the DC, EH and DH group did not show any significant difference compared to NC group and among the groups. The lipid abnormality as reflected by the mean LDL-HDL cholesterol ratios was the highest in the DH group but the differences were not statistically significant compared to the NC, DC and EH group. Conclusions: The data suggest the following conclusions: a) Serum ionized calcium level in our population is similar to that reported for other population. b) Serum glucose and insulin by themselves do not have any direct influence on serum ionized calcium. c) Non obese diabetes mellitus subjects in our population do not show insulin resistance as the primary defect. Rather, there is significant decompensation of the insulin secretory capacity in the subjects. d) Insulin resistance should be measured directly in relation to blood pressure and Ca2+ in appropriate groups of subjects to explore the relationship between insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia and serum ionized calcium.

Correlation of serum leptin and insulin levels of pregnant protein-restricted rats with predictive obesity variables

During pregnancy and protein restriction, changes in serum insulin and leptin levels, food intake and several metabolic parameters normally result in enhanced adiposity. We evaluated serum leptin and insulin levels and their correlations with some predictive obesity variables in Wistar rats (90 days), up to the 14th day of pregnancy: control non-pregnant (N = 5) and pregnant (N = 7) groups (control diet: 17 percent protein), and low-protein non-pregnant (N = 5) and pregnant (N = 6) groups (low-protein diet: 6 percent). Independent of the protein content of the diet, pregnancy increased total (F1,19 = 22.28, P < 0.001) and relative (F1,19 = 5.57, P < 0.03) food intake, the variation of weight (F1,19 = 49.79, P < 0.000) and final body weight (F1,19 = 19.52, P < 0.001), but glycemia (F1,19 = 9.02, P = 0.01) and the relative weight of gonadal adipose tissue (F1,19 = 17.11, P < 0.001) were decreased. Pregnancy (F1,19 = 18.13, P < 0.001) and low-protein diet (F1,19 = 20.35, P < 0.001) increased the absolute weight of brown adipose tissue. However, the relative weight of this tissue was increased only by protein restriction (F1,19 = 15.20, P < 0.001) and the relative lipid in carcass was decreased in low-protein groups (F1,19 = 4.34, P = 0.05). Serum insulin and leptin levels were similar among groups and did not correlate with food intake. However, there was a positive relationship between serum insulin levels and carcass fat depots in low-protein groups (r = 0.37, P < 0.05), while in pregnancy serum leptin correlated with weight of gonadal (r = 0.39, P < 0.02) and retroperitoneal (r = 0.41, P < 0.01) adipose tissues. Unexpectedly, protein restriction during 14 days of pregnancy did not alter the serum profile of adiposity signals and their effects on food intake and adiposity, probably due to the short term of exposure to low-protein diet.

Relationship of serum insulin and peptide C levels with inflammatory reaction in patients with severe multiple trauma / 中华创伤杂志

Objective To approach the changes of serum insulin and peptide C and determine their relationship with inflammatory reaction in patients with severe multiple trauma. Methods The serum insulin, peptide C, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-10, C reactive protein (CRP) were detected in 30 patients with severe multiple trauma at days 1,3 and 7 after trauma to analyze the dynamic changes of serum insulin and peptide C and their correlations with Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅲ ( APACHE Ⅲ), cytokines and CRP. The changes of cytokines and CRP were also compared with those of serum insulin and peptide C in patients with different outcomes. The changes of serum insulin and peptide C of 35 healthy subjects were detected and used as control. Re-sults The serum insulin and peptide C levels of patients were higher than those in control group at each time point after trauma, with remarkably positive correlation with APACHE Ⅲ. Whether the serum glu-cose and age were controlled or not,serum insulin and peptide C were positively correlated with IL-10 at each time point and with TNF-α and CRP at days 3 and 7. The levels of serum insulin, peptide C and IL-10 were decreased with time in both groups with different outcomes. Meanwhile, the levels of TNF-α and CRP were decreased in the survival groups but increased in the death groups. The levels of above indices in death group were significantly higher than survival groups at the same time point. Conclusions The increasing of serum insulin and peptide C is correlated with inflammatory reaction after severe multiple trauma. The dynamic changes of both indices can either reflect injury severity or be used as an effective index in dynamically monitoring anti-inflammatory degree of the organism.

The process of bone response to running training in female growing rats / 体力科学

Physical activity in the growing period has been shown to be effective for increasing bone mass because immature bones are more sensitive than mature adult bones to the stimulation with mechanical stress. However, bone growth is not uniform and changes markedly at puberty. Therefore, the response of bone to exercise may differ according to the growth process. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the process of the bone response to running training, and the relationship between the bone response and serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) levels in female rats. Thirty-three female Wistar-Imamichi rats 4 weeks of age were divided randomly into control (CON) and running training (RUN) groups for 6 and 12 weeks. Training consisted of running on a flatbed treadmill at 30 m/min for 60 min/day, 5 days/week. The bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) in the whole and five parts of the tibia were measured by a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometer (DXA) . Simultaneously, we measured serum concentrations of IGF-I, IGFBP-3, osteocalcin and 17β-estradiol. The whole tibial BMD was significantly higher in the RUN groups than in the age-matched CON groups. When BMD was analyzed at five different studied parts within the same tibia, the increase of BMD. was noted in the proximal and distal cancellous bone in the 6-week RUN group, and in the diaphysial, cortical bone, in the 12-week RUN group. Serum concentrations of osteocalcin, a marker of bone formation, were not altered by training, whereas they decreased with aging. Serum IGF-I levels in the training groups were not changed, but IGFBP-3 levels were increased significantly only in 6-week RUN rats. As a complex between IGFBP-3 and IGF-I may be more improve than free IGF-I in the bone formation, the high levels of IGFBP-3 in the 6-week RUN group may induce an increase in the activity of IGF-I. There was a significant positive relationship between serum IGF-I concentration and BMD of the whole tibia in the 6-week study, and between the IGFBP-3 level and BMD in both the 6 and 12-week studies.<BR>In conclusion, 1) the process of the skeletal response to running training is site-specific within the same bone, and 2) the increment of the IGFBP-3 level with training in the growth period may reflect the increment of tibial BMD through training.

Serum Peak Growth Hormone and Insulin like Growth Factor-I(IGF-I) Level After Insulin, L-dopa Provocation Test in Children with Constitutional Delay of Growth and Puberty / 대한소아내분비학회지

PURPOSE:There were many controversies whether constitutional delay of growth and puberty(CDGP) is simple varient of normal growth pattern, or one of the cause of growth disturbance induced by the disturbance of growth hormone secrtion or its function. So we studied about the difference in serum peak growth hormone level after insulin, L-dopa provocation test, and serum IGF-I leve between constitutional delay of growth and puberty(CDGP) and familial short stature(FSS). METHODS:Measurement of serum peak growth hormone and insulin like growth factor-I(IGF-I) level after insulin, L-dopa provocation test were performed in 33 children with costitutional delay of growth and puberty (CDGP). Two groups of children with familial short stature (FSS) whose height were below 10 percentile for chronologic age of Korean national height standards were included as control groups. RESULTS: 1)There were no significant difference of serum peak growth hormone level between children with CDGP and children with FSS and these results were similar in both sex. 2)The mean serum IGF-I level of children with CDGP were 125.69+/-4.06 ng/ml(71.53-189.34ng/ml) in male, 157.7+/-3.17ng/ml(81.9-279.2ng/ml) in female. Both results were significantly lower to those of FSS children by chronologic age group because the mean serum IGF-I level of FSS children were 190.19+/-7.97ng/ml (87.64-297.6ng/ml) in male, 205.47+/-15.87ng/ml(61.7-433.1ng/ml) in female. But compared to FSS children by bone age of 72-96 months, there were no significant difference noted because the mean serum IGF-I level of children with FSSwere130.47+/-0.27ng/ml(63.24-198.2ng/ml)inmale,162.35+/-9.43ng/ml(54.9-217.53 ng/ml) in female. CONCLUSIONS:The results of this study showed that the serum peak growth hormone level after insulin, L-dopa provocation test with children of CDGP revealed no significant difference with those of FSS children in both sex. Serum IGF-I level of CDGP children was lower significantly to those of FSS children by chronologic age group, but no much difference with FSS children of bone age group.

Ontogeny of insulin-receptor interaction: correlation with circulatory insulin levels.

Interaction of [125I]-insulin with intact hepatocytes and its correlation with circulatory insulin level was examined. The hepatocytes from new-born rats bound lowest amount of [125I]-insulin (1.39±0.41 pM/mg cell protein) when circulatory insulin level was high (8±1.5 μU/ml). Hepatocytes from 7 day and 21 day old animals demonstrated a more or less similar relationship, Cells from 31 day old animals exhibited maximum insulin binding, activity (5.13±0.18.pM/mg cell protein) against a low serum insulin level (4.25±0.25 μU/ ml). Scatchard analysis of insulin binding shows that the affinity is higher in the hepatocytes from new-born animals than in the hepatocytes of 31 day old animals. Higher binding observed in the latter case may be due to a greater number of binding sites. Hepatocytes from one year old rats bound very little insulin (2.50±0.36 pM/mg cell protein) against a high circulatory insulin level (9.25±0.85 μU/ml). In view of these results, it appears that the down-regulation hypothesis holds true during ontogeny too.