Hydrocortisone restoration of the pH-dependent metabolic responses to catecholamines

Feeding NH4CL to fasted rats caused changes of blood levels of lactate, glycerol, and insulin, hepatic levels of glycogen and phosphorylase, and muscle levels of glycogen and glucose 6-P in the direction opposite to the changes induced by respiratory alkalosis. The effects of epinephrine and isoproterenol in vivo on these metabolic indices, which are classified as their function mediated via the adrenegic beta receptor, were potentiated by NH4CL feeding in contrast to their attenuation in alkalosis. The prior treatment of the rat with hydrocortisone was very effective in overcoming the alkalosis-induced inhibition of the beta-receptor-mediated metabolic actions of epinephrine and isoproterenol, such as the activation of liver phosphorylase, accumulation of muscle hexose phosphates, and stimulation of pancreatic secretion of insulin. Epinephrine sensitivity of the liver and muscle levels of cyclic AMP was not altered by the hydrocortisone therapy or inductions of alkalosis and acidosis. The mechanism for the hydrocortisone restoration of the adrenergic beta functions in alkalosis is discussed as related to its permissive effect.