Abstract
The specific activity of hepatic UDP-N-acetyl-glucosamine 2'-epimerase (UDPGlcNAc 2'-epimerase) and the hepatic concentration of free N-acetylneuraminic acid (free NANA=CMP-NANA including NANA) were measured in rats subjected to streptozotocin induced mild diabetes and to adrenalectomy. In additionto observing the influence of these treatments on the basal enzyme specific activity and free-NANA pool size, the effects on their ability to respond to injury were also examined.
1. Streptozotocin induced mild diabetes caused no changes in the basal enzyme specific activity (activity per mg Protein per hour) nor in free-NANA concentration, but the ability of the enzyme to increase in response to inlury was somewhat inhibited compared to that of normal controls. 2. Adrenalectomy caused 31% increase in the basal enzyme specific activlty, but the response to injury was completely inhibited. Adrenalectomy had noeffect on the basal free-NANA concentration, but the increase observed in control animals after inlury was not seen. 3. The serum insulin level of normal rats averaged 25.7±5.4μU per ml serum. Adrenalectomized rats had an average level of 23.3±4.2μU per ml serum, equivalent to normal controls. Two hours after inlury serum insulin levels increased from their respective basal levels 2-2.5 times in all cases.
