The Influence of Cancer Tissue Extract on the Pancreas of Experimental Animals

Part II. The Influence of Cancer Tissue Extract on the Internal Pancreatic Secretion

Abstract

Insulin was extracted by the Sulfric acid-Alcohol method (Kumagaya) from the pancreatic tissue of dogs which were given 10% cancer tissue extract 1 cc/kg daily intravenously for various periods.
The amount of the extracted insulin was measured by the Toronto method using rabbits.
The following results were obtained;
1) The amount of insulin in the pancreas obviously decreased by the injection of cancer tissue extract compared to the control group.
2) Insulin began to decrease 1 week after the daily intravenous injection of cancer extract. The decrease was moderate after 2 weeks and marked after 4 weeks.
Pancreatic tissue of rabbits, which were given 10% cancerous extract 1 cc/kg daily intravenously, was studied histologically by Chromium Hematoxylin-Phroxin stain.
The following results were obtained;
1) It was found that the number of islets decreased; the size of islet became smaller; and the number of β-cells diminished.
Degenerative changes were found in the islets and β-cells after the daily intravenous injection of cancer tissue extract.
2) These changes were noticeable 1 week after the daily injection; moderate after 2 weeks; and marked after 4 weeks.
It is believed that the function of the internal secretion of the pancreas is inhibited by injection of cancer tissue extract.