Rapid Inhibition by Cortisol of Incorporation of Glucose in vivo into the Thymus of the Rat

Abstract

THE hypothesis that the effects of glucocorticoids on certain extrahepatic tissues result from inhibition of glucose utilization was proposed in 1942 by Drury¹ and Ingle² in connexion with the protein-catabolic effects of these hormones. It was later brought up by Bullough³ to explain mitotic inhibition in skin, and related phenomena such as involution of lymphatic tissue. Support for the hypothesis has recently come from several observations^4–7, including demonstrations that glucocorticoids in vitro at concentrations approaching physiological levels inhibit glucose uptake by skin⁴ and adipose tissue⁵, and in vivo reduce glucose uptake by adipose tissue isolated 30 min after injection⁵. A number of arguments have been advanced for the view that this action represents the primary metabolic effect of the hormones on adipose tissue⁵.