title: The effect of cholinergic blockade on the ACTH, beta-endorphin and cortisol responses to insulin-induced hypoglycaemia.
abstract: To assess the effect of cholinergic blockade on the ACTH, beta-endorphin and cortisol responses to insulin-induced hypoglycaemia, six healthy male volunteers each underwent two insulin tolerance tests in random order, separated by at least 1 week with and without atropine. ACTH levels were significantly greater at +45 min (mean +/- SEM, 223 +/- 21 pg/ml vs 148 +/- 15 pg/ml, P less than 0.01) and at +120 min (54 +/- 11 pg/ml vs 29 +/- 10 pg/ml, P less than 0.05). beta-endorphin levels were significantly greater at +30 min (170 +/- 45 pg/ml vs 96 +/- 32 pg/ml, P less than 0.05) and at +105 min (81 +/- 14 pg/ml vs 54 +/- 7 pg/ml, P less than 0.01). Cholinergic blockade had no effect on plasma glucose or cortisol concentrations. This study demonstrates that cholinergic blockade with atropine facilitates the ACTH and beta-endorphin responses to insulin-induced hypoglycaemia without altering the cortisol responses.
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D000328:Adult; D001285:Atropine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004723:Endorphins / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000097:blood*; D007328:Insulin / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D001615:beta-Endorphin
chemical_list: D004723:Endorphins; D007328:Insulin; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D001285:Atropine; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone