Insulin Shock in Relation to the Components of the Adrenals and the Hypophysis

Adrenalin, by its hyperglycemic action, is known to antagonize the hypoglycemic effect of insulin and hence to prevent or diminish insulin shock (1, 2). Furthermore, that an increased discharge of adrenalin occurs in insulin hypoglycemia, thus helping to withstand the upset in homeostasis, was shown by Cannon, Mclver and Bliss (3); this important observation has been confirmed by Abe (4), Houssay, Lewis and Molinelli (5), and Pijoan (6), but Stewart and Rogoff (7) dissent. Still another method of indication that the adrenal medulla acts antagonistically to insulin is that of inactivation of the gland by denervation, followed by the administration of insulin. Such animals have been found from 4 to 10 times more sensitive to insulin than the normal by Cannon, Mclver and Bliss (3), Britton, Geiling and Calvery (8), Sahyun and Blatherwick (9), Dworkin (10), Barnes, Scott, Ferrill and Rogoff (11), and Freeman, Smithwick and White (12). Since total adrenalectomy causes removal of both medulla and cortex, it mig...