In vitro insulin action on erythrocyte glucose metabolism in normal and diabetic rats.

Alloxan-induced diabetes in rats significantly impaired the capacity of the erythrocytes to metabolise glucose in vitro to either lactic acid or CO2. Both these metabolic activities were initially insensitive to insulin in normal as well as in diabetic animals; but became responsive when these cells were subjected to insulin and glucose 'starvation' for 1 h through incubation in their absence. This action of insulin in starved cells showed concentration dependence and required preincubation with the hormone prior to addition of glucose.