Haemorrhage-induced increases in glucose, glucagon and insulin levels are blocked by naloxone in rats.
OBJECTIVE
To find out if the opioids that are liberated during bleeding influence the concentrations of glucagon, insulin, somatostatin, corticosterone and glucose in rats, and if naloxone has any regulatory effect.


METHODS
Laboratory study.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
56 Male Wistar rats.


METHODS
Removal of blood corresponding to 2% of body weight through a catheter in the internal jugular vein. Before bleeding (n = 8), and at 5, 15 and 30 minutes afterwards (n = 16 at each time point, half of which had received naloxone 0.04 mg/ml, 0.7 ml/hour, for 10 minutes before bleeding and up to 30 minutes afterwards) rats were killed and samples of heart blood taken.


METHODS
Concentrations of glucose, glucagon, insulin, somatostatin, and corticosterone in heart blood.


RESULTS
In the control group (saline) concentrations of glucose, glucagon and insulin increased significantly after bleeding, and had returned to baseline concentration by 30 minutes. Naloxone blocked the increases in the treated group.


CONCLUSIONS
Endogenous opioids, possibly endorphin, may be important in the acute regulation of blood glucose, glucagon and insulin concentrations after haemorrhage.
Johansen
O
O
Department of Orthopaedics, Tromsø University Hospital, Norway.
Sundsfjord
J
J
Vaaler
S
S
Jorde
R
R
Tønnesen
T
T
Burhol
P
P
Reikerås
O
O
D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood; D005934:Glucagon / Q000097:blood*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000097:blood*; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D009270:Naloxone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000097:blood
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D009270:Naloxone; D013004:Somatostatin; D005934:Glucagon; D003345:Corticosterone