Salivary glands as endocrine organs

Total bilateral extirpation of submaxillary and sublingual glands produced in five dogs a significant increase of insulin sensitivity as measured by insulin sensitivity test. The glucose tolerance test in the same animals showed a less significant and less constant increase of the utilization of the administered glucose. Similar results were obtained in four dogs with a complete bilateral ligation of the secretory ducts, which resulted in the atrophy of the submaxillary and sublingual glands. Fourteen control experiments failed to show any significant fluctuations in insulin sensitivity or in utilization of the administered glucose. It is concluded that submaxillary and, possibly, sublingual glands are producing a factor which, if removed, potentiates the action of insulin; this factor is designated as submaxillary insulin inhibitor (S.I.I.). Submaxillary glands in dogs possess argentaffine cells in a large amount, and they are identified as the demilune formations; these cells have histochemical characteristics similar to the argentaffine cells found in the gastrointestinal tract. Note: (With the Technical Assistance of E. J. Kaminski) Submitted on January 29, 1959

CIRCULATING INSULIN ANTAGONISTS IN DIABETES MELLITUS: UNTREATED DIABETICS, DIABETICS DURING INFECTIONS AND ACROMEGALICS WITH DIABETES

SUMMARY Using the effect of insulin on isolated rat hemidiaphragm as an assay system, it has been possible to demonstrate a circulating insulin antagonist in some new cases of diabetes of the growth-onset type as well as during the exacerbation of diabetes secondary to infections. Three out of four acromegalics with diabetes also showed evidence of insulin antagonist, while one diabetic patient with thyrotoxicosis requiring 155 u. insulin/day had no antagonist. The antagonist present in the new diabetics and during infection exhibited some characteristics similar to the antagonist previously described during diabetic acidosis [Field & Stetten, 1956a], but different from the insulin inhibitor present during chronic insulin resistance.