The development of a glucose clamp.

A reliable control system was developed for clamping (i.e., holding at a steady level) the concentration of blood glucose in the hyperglycemic region of a normal nonanesthetized dog. The system is based upon, and hence largely validates, a mathematical model of the canine glucoregulatory mechanism which was assembled from the results of experiments in which radioisotopes were used. The operation of the clamp, however, does not require the use of radioisotopes. The glucose clamp is a tool which may be applicable clinically in the measurement of glucose turnover and in the laboratory in the study of the effects of glucose turnover of variable insulin with constant glucose levels.