Catecholamine-induced alterations in glucose homeostasis in baboons, dogs, rabbits, and rats: comparative effects of somatostatin.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to L C Woodson.
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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.
The hyperglycemic activities of epinephrine (EPI) and isoproterenol (ISO) in baboons correlated with their ability to increase plasma glucagon (IRG) levels relative to insulin (IRI). EPI inhibited IRI release and produced greater increases in plasma glucose and IRG than did ISO. ISO increased plasma IRI levels more than IRG. Infusion of somatostatin blocked IRG release and inhibited hyperglycemic responses to EPI by approximately 50%. These findings indicate that, as in man, IRG release contributes significantly to the hyperglycemic effects of catecholamines in baboons. The baboon thus appears to be a suitable model for predicting effects of drugs on glucose homeostasis in humans.