Summary Streptozotocin is a highly effective cytotoxic agent for pancreatic B-cells. After intravenous administration of 65 mg streptozotocin per kg, damage to B-cells is apparent as early as one hour after intravenous administration of the drug. Frank necrosis associated with phagocytosis is best seen after 7 hours, when pancreatic insulin release and hypoglycemia are also noted. By 24 hours, pancreatic insulin content is reduced to 5% of normal or less. While the B-cytotoxic effects of streptozotocin resemble those of alloxan, their specificity is very much greater, as demonstrated by the wide margin between diabetogenic dose and general toxicity.

Journal Article Hyperplasia and Hypertrophy of the Islets of Langerhans, Obesity and Diabetes Mellitus in the Mouse Acomys Dimidiatus Get access A E Gonet, A E Gonet Institut de Biochimie Clinique, Université de Genève, Sentier de la Roseraie, 1211 Genève 4, Switzerland Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar J Mougin, J Mougin Institut de Biochimie Clinique, Université de Genève, Sentier de la Roseraie, 1211 Genève 4, Switzerland Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar A E Renold A E Renold Institut de Biochimie Clinique, Université de Genève, Sentier de la Roseraie, 1211 Genève 4, Switzerland Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Acta Endocrinologica (Norway), Volume 49, Issue 3_Supplement, Aug 1965, Page S135, https://doi.org/10.1530/acta.0.049S135 Published: 01 August 1965