Effect of alloxan diabetes on some aspects of lipid metabolism in albino rats.

Administration of alloxan (40 mg/kg i.v.) caused a marked decrease in the lipolytic and esterolytic activities of rat aorta. This effect was completely reversed when the diabetic rats were treated with low doses of insulin (2-3 U/die) for 3 days. The insulin-dependence of esterolysis and lipolysis in rat aorta and the role of hydrolases in atherogenesis in experimental diabetes have been discussed.