BIOTIN-STIMULATED INSULIN-SECRETION IN BIOTIN-DEFICIENT RATS

The insulin secretion expressed in terms of plasma concentration in re sponse to an oral glucose load (1.8 g per kg body weight) in biotin-de ficient male Wistar rats was approximately one-sixth that of pair-fed controls. However, the insulin content of the pancreas in biotin-defic ient rats was no lower than that of control rats. The reduction in ins ulin secretion in the biotin-deficient rats was reversed to a signific ant extent by the simultaneous administration of biotin (1 mg per kg b ody weight) with the glucose solution, This suggests that biotin may p lay an important role in the secretion of insulin from the beta-cells of the pancreas.