EFFECT OF PANTOTHENIC ACID DEFICIENCY ON INSULIN SENSITIVITY AND RESPONSE TO ACTH OF INTACT AND DIABETIC RATS1

DEANE and McKibbin (1946) observed in the adrenal cortex of pantothenic acid deficient rats cytochemical changes which were consistent with an early phase of adrenocortical hyperfunction followed by a phase of exhaustion and adrenocortical hypofunction. These observations have stimulated many investigators to study the functional capacity of the adrenal cortex in this deficiency state. However, only a few studies have been reported which are concerned specifically with the effects of this deficiency state on those phases of carbohydrate metabolism influenced by the adrenal cortex. Irwin and Ralli (1948) were unable to find any effect of pantothenic acid deficiency on the severity of the diabetes of a small group of rats with alloxan diabetes. Hurley and Morgan (1952) demonstrated a decreased ability of the liver to store glycogen and a lowered blood glucose in rats with acute pantothenic acid deficiency subjected to anoxia. Since these abnormalities were corrected by administration of adrenal cortical extract (ACE), Hurley and Morgan interpreted these findings as indicating impairment of adrenal cortical function.