Time course changes in blood glucose and insulin levels of thymectomized rats

The endocrine function of the thymus and its relations to other endocrine glands have been discussed in the scientific literature. Blood glucose contents (assayed on a 'Beckman' glucoanalyzer by the glucoseoxidase method) and serum insulin level (using radioimmunoassay) were studied in male Wistar rats--1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, and 12 months after adult thymectomy. The results obtained demonstrated that the thymectomy provoked increase of insulin level accompanied by phasic decrease of blood glucose in comparison to age matched controls. Correlation between insulin and glucose levels in the thymectomized rats was not found. The results support the hypothesis of functional interrelations between the thymus and the endocrine pancreas.