Effect of metabolic alkalosis on the B-cell sensitivity to alloxan in vivo.

Metabolic alkalosis was induced in starved mice by treatment with NaHCO3, which did not significantly alter the blood glucose concentration, but protected against the diabetogenic effect of subsequently given alloxan. This protection and the alkalosis had disappeared 4 hr after NaHCO3 treatment. Protection against alloxan, and metabolic alkalosis, were found also in starved mice pretreated with sodium lactate. The findings indicate that metabolic alkalosis, directly or indirectly, protects against alloxan toxicity in vivo.