Effects of Cortisone and Insulin on Tumor Weights, Urinary Glucose and Nitrogen in Rats.

Sexually mature male rats in metabolism cages were adapted to the tube-feeding of a medium carbohydrate diet. Some rats were treated with cortisone acetate and with glucagon-free insulin, separately and in combination and in the presence and absence of implanted tumor. The severity of the glycosuria was proportional to the dose of cortisone. Glycosuria was markedly suppressed by insulin, but there was no suppression of the level of urinary nitrogen in the presence or absence of cortisone. Cortisone suppressed the growth of Walker Carcinoma 256 and of Jensen Sarcoma and caused atrophy of the adrenals, thymus and partial atrophy of spleen. None of these effects of cortisone overdosage were prevented by insulin.