Influence of alloxan administration on the blood glucose, islets of langerhans and some other tissues of the frog, Rana tigrina.

Like majority of other vertebrates, the frog Rana tigrina belongs to the alloxan sensitive group. Alloxanization at doses of 300 and 500 mg/kg caused selective degenerative changes in the pancreatic beta-cells and a deficiency of insulin, which, in turn, provoked elevation of normal plasma glucose levels. The alpha-cells retained their normal structure. With the lower dose (200 mg/kg), however, many islets remained unaffected and there was no hyperglycemia. The fatal effect of alloxan on Rana tigrina appears to be due to the nephrotoxicity and acidosis of body fluid caused by this drug.