THE EFFECT OF URINARY GLUCOSE EXCRETION ON THE PLASMA GLUCOSE CLEARANCES AND PLASMA INSULIN RESPONSES TO INTRAVENOUS GLUCOSE LOADS IN UNANAESTHESIZED DOGS

ABSTRACT The effect of urinary glucose excretion on the plasma glucose clearance and insulin response to varying sizes of glucose loads was studied in normal unanaesthesized dogs. Glucose loads ranging from 0.15 to 1.25 g/kg b.w. were infused intravenously in a standard time period of 30 seconds. Plasma glucose and plasma immunoreactive insulin (IRI) concentrations were determined during one-hour after infusion. All urine excreted during the one-hour was collected by a catheterization and bladder wash-out procedure. The urinary glucose excretion was expressed as the percent of the glucose load. The urinary glucose excretion varied directly with the size of the glucose load and ranged from minimal to 12 %. This would indicate that urinary losses play a considerable role proportionate to the degree of hyperglycaemia above the renal threshold. Thus, urinary loss of glucose must be recognized as an important factor influencing the plasma glucose clearance and hence the plasma IRI response. A glucose load of 0.5 g/kg b.w. given in 30 seconds with the k-value calculated between 15–45 min would minimize the influence of urinary loss and provide more accurate plasma clearance values.