[Plasma insulin and glucagon during experimental MHV-3 virus hepatitis in mice]

Insulin and glucagon values were determined in the plasma of mice during MHV-3 experimental viral infection. The results showed a different behaviour of the two hormones. The insulin values remained normal until the 12th hour of infection, with a statistically significant increase as from the 12th hour up to their maximum peak at the 24th hour, remaining constant at that level until the 72nd hour. As for the glucagon values there was a statistically significant decrease until the 24th hour of infection when they suddenly began to increase up to their maximum peak at the 48th hour remaining constant at that level until the 72nd hour. Increased of the insulin values may be attributed to liver cell damage because of the decreased metabolization of the hormone. As for glucagon the results of the decreased values during the initial phase of the infection may be the concentration decrease of free plasma amino acids, whereas the increased values during the subsequent phases is probably caused by the concentration increase of free plasma amino acids, of hypogycemia and of stress.