THE EFFECT OF INSULIN ON MACROPHAGE METABOLISM AND FUNCTION

This study examined the effect of insulin on rat macrophage metabolism and function. The following parameters were studied: cell migration i n response to thioglycollate and BCG stimuli, macrophage phagocytic ca pacity, H2O2 production, glucose and glutamine metabolism as indicated by the measurement of enzyme activities, the utilization of metabolit es and production and oxidation of substrates. The results indicate th at insulin: (1) did not affect cell migration in response to thioglyco llate and BCG; (2) enhanced the phagocytic capacity of macrophages and the production of H2O2 by macrophages; (3) increased the metabolism o f glucose and reduced that of glutaminase.