Yoshikazu Sakamoto

Comparative effects of narative insulin and insulin-dextran complexes on the metabolism of adipose tissue

Insulin-dextran complexes have been prepared and their biological activities compared to that of native insulin. Complexes referred to as T-70 had a molecular weight of about 450 000, T-2000 being more than 2 million. Insulin-dextran T-70 was stable and no release of free insulin from the complex was observed upon its incubation with adipose tissue. Insulin-dextran T-70 mimicked the effects of native insulin upon adipose tissue metabolism. It also lowered blood sugar. These effects necessitated, on an insulin molar basis, concentrations of the complex that were 10-times greater than those needed for native insulin. Maximal concentrations of insulin complex T-70 or native insulin elicited similar quantitative effects. This suggested that when the concentration of insulin-dextran T-70 was high enough, the complex occupied a sufficient number of receptor sites to produce maximal stimulation of the tissue. In contrast, insulin-dextran T-2000 was barely effective, indicating that, probably due to its size, it was unable to reach receptor sites. The size, stability and metabolic effects of insulin-dextran T-70 observed in this study give additional support to the concept that insulin action is probably mediated via a series of events initiated at the level of the plasma membrane of adipocytes.

Korea as a World Order Issue

The paper views the Korean problem, not-as is commonly done-as an aspect of the East-West conflict (although it is a product of that conflict), but as a world-order problem. It briefly traces Koreas history upto that fateful day in August 1945, when the USA and the Soviets, engaged in fierce manoeuvres to carve out and extend their respective spheres of domination, divided arbitrarily – and almost casually – a peace-loving nation into two countries which became hostile and even went to war. In the process, both the halves have been robbed of their autonomy and made into satellites of their respective center states, both have had their economies skewed, and both have become preys to repressive regimes. The paper then goes on to make constructive suggestions for reducing tension between the two to pave the way for an eventual solution that would be in the interest of, and acceptable to, the Korean people. Initiatives must emanate from the two center states, which are responsible for Koreas tragic plight, but some will have to be taken by the Korean people themselves.