The insulin-like action of Bordetella pertussis vaccine in rats

Treatment of rats with Bordetella pertussis vaccine significantly lowered the blood sugar level 4 days later but the vaccine did not alter the level in diabetic rats. The vaccine, like insulin, raised glycogen levels in liver, skeletal muscle and heart and reduced the plasma free fatty acid concentration. The action of a beta-adrenoceptor blocker was potentiated by the vaccine but not by insulin. Part of the hypoglycaemic action of the vaccine is probably due to beta-adrenoceptor blockade.