Effect of Mn++ on blood sugar level in rats.

Mn++ produced hypoglycemia in normal rats. The effect was dose-dependent. However, Mn++ did not produce hypoglycemia in alloxan-treated rats. There was a rise in liver glycogen following Mn++ treatment which was correlated with fall in blood sugar at 1 1/2 and 3 hr. There was also increase in the glucose uptake by rat diaphragm upto 47% between 2 and 3 hr. The results suggest that functioning, intact pancreatic beta-cells are necessary for the action of Mn++ and that Mn++ may have a peripheral effect on glucose entry into the cells.