| Abstract: | The mechanism of glucose intolerance in thiamine-deficient rats has been examined. Deficient rats showed marked glucose intolerance. However, the hypoglycaemic effect of insulin (1 i.u. kg?1, i.p.) was similar in the deficient, pair-fed and normal groups, though somewhat weaker in the normal group than in the other two groups. After injection of tolbutamide (40 mg kg?1, i.p.), the hypoglycaemic effects in the three groups were the same. Tyramine (10 mg kg?1, s.c.) restored the impaired glucose tolerance of deficient rats to normal, but not that of alloxan diabetic rats. Furthermore, tyramine did not restore the intolerance of deficient rats pretreated with alloxan. These results suggest that the main factor causing glucose intolerance in the deficient rats may be suppressed insulin secretion. |
