Biological Properties of a Transplantable Islet-cell Tumor of the Golden Hamster: II. Insulin Content of the Tumor and Some Metabolic Characteristics of the Tumor-bearing Animals

Abstract

Hamsters bearing a transplantable pancreatic tumor developed marked hypoglycemia upon fasting. Glucose assimilation constant and fasting plasma insulin levels were statistically higher in these animals than in the controls. The insulin content of the tumor (expressed in “humaninsulin equivalent” was 0.072 ± 0.014 U./gm. wet weight. Insulin could be extracted with acid-alcohol and inactivated with anti-insulin serum or cysteine. The possible significance of these findings is discussed.