Hormonal influences upon the in vitro glucose uptake in the thymus of adrenalectomized rats.

The experiments carried out on male albino Wistar rats weighing 100 g show that following adrenalectomy the in vitro glucose uptake in the thymus may be influenced by a series of hormones. The inhibitory action of hydrocortisone upon this phenomenon is intensified, while desoxycorticosterone acetate brings the glucose uptake back to the level found in the normal rat's thymus. Insulin stimulates markedly the glucose consumption in the thymus, while in the glands of adrenalectomized rats it reduces the inhibitory effect of both hydrocortisone and desoxycorticosterone acetate.