Effect of insulin and 2-deoxy-D-glucose on feeding and plasma glucose levels in the spiny mouse

Adult male spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus) were challenged with 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) or regular insulin, and food intake or plasma glucose concentration was measured. Mice did not increase their food intake over baseline levels following treatment with 2-DG (62.5-1000 mg/kg). In contrast, regular insulin injections (1-50 U/kg) stimulated a modest, but significant increase in feeding, which was apparent within 2 hr at a low dose of 1 U/kg. However, a marked hyper- and hypoglycemia (compared to saline controls), respectively, were induced within 30 min by 2-DG (250 and 500 mg/kg) and regular insulin (1 and 3 U/kg). Reduced glucose levels may not account for the insulin-induced hyperphagia.