Mechanism of plasma cyclic AMP response to hypoglycemia in man

The effect of insulin-induced hypoglycemia on plasma cyclic AMP levels was studied in normal volunteers, adrenalectomized, and sympathectomized subjects. Significant increases in plasma glucagon were observed in all groups. Normal subjects all had two- to threefold rises in plasma cAMP while no response was seen in any adrenalectomized or sympathectomized subject. These findings suggest that the mechanism for enhanced plasma cAMP release during insulin-induced hypoglycemia is catecholamine dependent. Glucagon does not contribute significantly to this response.