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Horm Metab Res 1978; 10(5): 373-377
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1093394
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© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Catecholamine-Induced Changes in Plasma Glucose, Glucagon and Insulin in Rabbits: Effects of Somatostatin[+]

D. E. Potter [**] , J. W. Barnett , L. C. Woodson [*]
  • Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, U.S.A.
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Publication History

Publication Date:
23 December 2008 (online)

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Abstract

The present study was conducted to determine if glucagon release is involved in the hyperglycemic response to epinephrine and isoproterenol in the fasted and fed, unanesthetized rabbit. Epinephrine produced dose-related increases in plasma glucose and glucagon levels in fed and fasted rabbits whereas isoprotereol produced modest hyperglycemia without hyperglucagonemia. Infusion of somatostatin suppressed epinephrine-induced glucagon release and this was correlated with a 50% reduction in the hyperglycemic response.

These data suggest that epinephrine-induced glucagon release is the primary reason for the difference in hyperglycemic activity between epinephrine and isoproterenol in the unanesthetized rabbit.

Key words

Catecholamines - Glucagon Release - Hyperglycemic Activity - Somatostatin - Rabbits

1 Present address: Department of Pharmacology, The University of Kansas Medical Center, College of Health Sciences and Hospital, Kansas City, Kansas 66103, USA

1 Present address: Department of Pharmacology, The University of Kansas Medical Center, College of Health Sciences and Hospital, Kansas City, Kansas 66103, USA

2 Present address: Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Texas Tech University School of Medicine, Lubbock, Texas 79409, USA

3 Presented in part at the International Symposium on Somatostatin in Freiburg/Br., Germany