Gluconeogenesis in eel with alloxan induced insulin deficiency was studied. A single injection of alloxan produced a marked hyperglycemia, glycosuria, and pronounced elevation of plasma amino nitrogen in eel, Liver glycogen decreased 3 days after the alloxan injection but increased after 10 days. There were, however, no appreciable changes in GOT, GPT, FDP and PFK activities in the liver. Histologically, severe damage of the insular B cells, some hepatic lesions, and a decrease in the number of epidermal goblet and clavate cells were observed in the alloxanized eel.
From these results, it was concluded that insulin deficiency induced by alloxan accelerates the mobilization of amino acids from body protein thus activating gluconeogenesis in the eel.