EFFECT OF INTRAVENOUS INFUSION OF d-MANNOHEPTULOSE ON BLOOD GLUCOSE AND INSULIN LEVELS IN MAN

Studies in laboratory animals (mice, rats and rabbits) have shown that parenteral administration of d-mannoheptulose (MH), a seven-carbon sugar occurring in the avocado, evokes a diabetic syndrome, caused by blockade of insulin secretion from the pancreas (Simon & Kraicer, 1966). Paulsen (1968) observed a lowering of plasma insulin after oral administration of MH in a leucine-sensitive hypoglycaemic child, with no impairment of glucose utilization. Viktora, Johnson, Penhos, Rosenberg & Wolff (1969) fed avocado, containing 2–13 g. MH, to healthy men. In five out of eight subjects plasma insulin decreased without significant elevation of blood glucose. The same group (Johnson, Viktora & Wolff, 1969) administered pure MH orally to healthy men; a small elevation of blood sugar with a significant drop of insulin was observed. The insulin peak and glucose utilization was significantly reduced when glucose, 0·5 g./kg. body weight, was injected 4 hr. after MH ingestion.The present