The biological activity of purified porcine proinsulin was investigated in rats. In vivo studies revealed that proinsulin produced a hypoglycemic response similar to insulin but of lesser magnitude. Hypophysectomized and adrenalectomized animals proved to be more sensitive to proinsulin than normal. In vitro studies with rat hemidiaphragm were consistent with the in vivo findings. No competition with insulin action could be demonstrated.
Authors
Norman R. Lazarus, Juan C. Penhos, Tomio Tanese, Leslie Michaels, Raul Gutman, Lillian Recant
