[The function of the pancreatic islet cells during prolonged hypokinesia]

The content of insulin, C-peptide, glucagon, somatostatin, and glucose was studied in the blood of animals experiencing 3, 10, 30, 70, and 140-day hypokinesia (HK) and the cAMP content--in their liver and renal cortex. It was found that in 3-day HK insulin production and catabolism are sharply stimulated, the glucagon and glucose content is increased, the somatostatin level is reduced, and cAMP content in the liver and kidneys is reduced. Ten-day HK is characterized by hyperglycemia, an almost normal hormone content, and increased cAMP level in the renal cortex. In 30-day HK the blood insulin and glucagon content, the content of cAMP in the liver and renal cortex are sharply increased, and the level of somatostatin and glucose is reduced. In 70-day HK the content of glucose and hormones in the blood is reduced, the cAMP level in both organs does not differ from that in the controls. In 140-day HK the concentration of insulin and glucagon in the blood of the animals increases significantly and the level of glycemia normalizes, evidently through increase of cAMP in the liver and kidneys.