Glucose concentration and insulin release in 5-thio-D-glucose-treated mice.

Male albino mice were given a single dose of various concentrations (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg body weight) of 5-thio-D-glucose or daily infusions (33 mg/kg body weight) of 5-thio-D-glucose for 21 days. Elevated blood glucose and immunoreactive insulin (IRI) levels were observed in the mice treated with 5-thio-D-glucose. Fasting glucose levels reached a maximum in 30 minutes and IRI levels reached a maximum in 60 to 90 minutes in the single-dose treated animals compared to preintubation levels. In the mice treated for 21 days, the fasting and fed glucose and IRI levels were significantly increased. Single dose of glucose (1 g/kg body weight) given to fasting and fed mice did not alter the glucose and IRI levels in the treated animals. However, a single dose of 5-thio-D-glucose (33 mg/kg body weight) given to fasting and fed treated animals increased the IRI levels significantly but not the glucose concentration. These data show that both single-dose and 3-week treatment with 5-thio-D-glucose produced a hyperinsulinemic diabetes in male albino mice.