“The Influence of Subcutaneous Injections of Dextrose upon Nitrogenous Metabolism”

It has been frequently assumed that the large quantity of sugar present in the body in the condition of diabetes is responsible in part for some of the characteristic symptoms noted. For example, it has been asserted that various acids or acid derivatives may be formed giving rise to the condition of acidosis, as indicated by the well-known increased output of ammonia by diabetics. What influence the large quantity of sugar may have upon the distribution of nitrogen in the urine has received but scanty attention, especially with accurate methods.

Recently Scott (J. Physiol., 18, p. 107) has attempted to imitate the condition which obtains in diabetes by injecting into dogs large quantities (seven grams per kilo) of dextrose subcutaneously, and has made a study of the distribution of the urea, non-urea, and ammonia nitrogen as compared with the distribution in the normal animal. He has shown that when the above mentioned quantity of dextrose is injected there is an increased protein metabolism. Further there is probably excreted an increased output of ammonia combined with an acid or acids derived from the decomposition of the dextrose. There is also a diminution in the proportion of nitrogen eliminated as urea and an increase in the output of the non-urea nitrogen.

It was the purpose of the present investigation to study the character of this non-urea nitrogen. Accordingly the total nitrogen, urea nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen, creatinin nitrogen, uric-acid nitrogen, and purin nitrogen have been determined under conditions similar to those of Scott's experiments. In harmony with Scott's results, the authors found an increase in the total output of nitrogen due to increased metabolism, together with an increased elimination of oxalic acid.