title: Effect of alpha-adrenergic stimulation and its blockade on glucose turnover in man.
abstract: Epinephrine (50 ng . kg-1 . min-1) was infused for 120 min in seven normal volunteers alone (combined alpha- and beta-adrenergic stimulation), with propranolol (alpha-adrenergic stimulation), and with propranolol plus phentolamine (alpha-adrenergic blockade superimposed on alpha-adrenergic stimulation). During alpha-adrenergic stimulation, plasma glucose and glucose production increased 32 and 42% less, respectively, than during infusion of epinephrine alone, whereas glucose clearance was suppressed comparably. Plasma insulin decreased during alpha-adrenergic stimulation but increased during infusion of epinephrine alone. Plasma epinephrine was threefold greater during infusion of epinephrine plus propranolol than during infusion of epinephrine alone. When alpha-adrenergic blockade was superimposed on alpha-adrenergic stimulation, the increases in plasma glucose and glucose production as well as the decreases in plasma insulin and glucose clearance observed during alpha-adrenergic stimulation were virtually abolished, whereas plasma epinephrine levels were unaltered. These results indicate that in man epinephrine can cause hyperglycemia via both alpha- and beta-adrenergic stimulation of glucose production and suppression of glucose clearance, either directly or indirectly. alpha-Adrenergic effects on glucose production and clearance may be mediated by inhibition of insulin secretion.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005934:Glucagon / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000209:etiology; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D010646:Phentolamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D011433:Propranolol / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D005934:Glucagon; D011433:Propranolol; D004837:Epinephrine; D010646:Phentolamine