Effects of insulin-induced hypoglycemia on beta 2-adrenoceptor density and proliferative responses of human lymphocytes.
We studied the effects of insulin (0.1 IU/kg BW, iv)-induced hypoglycemia on lymphocyte beta 2-adrenoceptor function, lymphocyte subset distribution, and proliferative response to mitogen stimulation in 10 healthy volunteers. Thirty minutes after insulin injection plasma glucose levels were markedly decreased; concomitantly, plasma epinephrine levels had increased about 10-fold; plasma norepinephrine levels, however, increased only moderately. Lymphocyte beta 2-adrenoceptor density and the cAMP response to 10 mumol/L isoproterenol stimulation were elevated; lymphocyte Ts/c-cells had increased, whereas Th-cells had decreased, resulting in a decrease in the Th-/Ts/c-cell ratio from 1.7 to 1.0. These changes were accompanied by a significantly reduced lymphocyte proliferative response (measured as [3H]thymidine uptake) to mitogen stimulation. Two hours after insulin injection plasma catecholamines, lymphocyte beta 2-adrenoceptor function, lymphocyte subset distribution, and proliferative responses had returned to nearly preinsulin levels. We conclude that acute vigorous increases in endogenous epinephrine evoked by insulin-induced hypoglycemia are associated with increases in lymphocyte beta 2-adrenoceptor function, redistribution of lymphocyte subsets, and an (at least transiently) attenuated in vitro immune responsiveness.
van Tits
L J
LJ
Zentrum für Innere Medizin, Universität Essen, West Germany.
Daul
A
A
Bauch
H J
HJ
Grosse-Wilde
H
H
Happel
M
M
Michel
M C
MC
Brodde
O E
OE
D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000378:metabolism; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects; D007328:Insulin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007545:Isoproterenol / Q000494:pharmacology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008934:Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D013936:Thymidine / Q000378:metabolism
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D008934:Mitogens; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D007545:Isoproterenol; D013936:Thymidine; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine