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Using the adjacent histologically normal tissues obtained from the same patients as controls, six human lung tumors were studied for the activities of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor binding, and receptor autophosphorylation. There was a 1.2- to 2.8-fold increase in EGF receptor activities in lung tumors due to an increase in the number of receptors without changes in their affinity. The increase had no direct correlation with the degree of differentiation or the type of lung tumors. The elevated expression of EGF receptor may be one of the characteristics in lung tumors. Epidermal growth factor and its receptor also may play a role in the regulatory mechanisms during tumorigenesis.

Twenty-five insulin-treated diabetic patients were randomly assigned postoperatively to 5 days of intravenous infusions of ProcalAmine (3% amino acids, 3% glycerol, and electrolytes) or FreAmineIII + dextrose and electrolytes. The solutions were given isocalorically and isonitrogenously. Insulin was adjusted to keep glycemia at the level of 150-200 mg/dl. The ProcalAmine group by the 5th day had plasma glucose of 158 +/- 25 mg/dl and required 1.20 +/- 0.10 U/hr insulin. The FreAmine + dextrose group had plasma glucose of 169 +/- 53 mg/dl and required 2.28 +/- 0.13 U/hr. At all time points postsurgically, the ProcalAmine group required less insulin.