alpha-Sympathetic control of glucose output of mouse liver perfused in situ

Electrical stimulation of perivascular nerve bundles of mouse liver perfused in situ at constant flow resulted in an increase of glucose production that was maximal at 20 Hz. The neurally induced glucose output was inhibited significantly by the beta-blocker propranolol, and to a considerably greater extent by the alpha-blockers, phenoxybenzamine and phentolamine. The effect of 20-Hz electrical stimulation could be matched by an infusion of norepinephrine at a concentration of 5 X 10(-7) M. It is suggested that the carbohydrate metabolism of the liver is controlled by its own nerve supply rather than by circulating catecholamines and that alpha-adrenergic receptors have a greater effect than beta-receptors on hepatic glucose production resulting from electrical and catecholamine stimulation.