Administration of antisomatotropin serum in diabetes mellitus.

The effect of antisomatotropin serum (ASS), raised in horse against human growth hormone, on the carbohydrate metabolism of diabetics has been investigated. Among the eight diabetic patients treated so far two had GH secreting pituitary adenoma, two insulin-dependent, and four others adult onset diabetes mellitus. The glucose tolerance curve improved in all but one patient. The effect lasted for two--four weeks. Because of this short time of efficiency, the place of ASS in the definite treatment of diabetes mellitus cannot been judged so far, however, its administration in diabetic retinopathy seems to be advantageous.