Beta-blockade and carbohydrate metabolism: theoretical aspects and clinical implications

The adrenergic control of carbohydrate metabolism is expressed at two levels: regulation of substrate flow, and interference with the secretion of hormones. Normally, this adrenergic regulatory system only plays a minor role. However, it is of great importance as an acute adaptation of the body to fight and flight. Under these circumstances, fuel fluxes increase almost instantaneously. Glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis are responsible for increased hepatic glucose output. Increased fatty acid flux is brought about by stimulated adipose tissue lipolysis, which probably, as a secondary phenomenon, causes decreased peripheral glucose utilisation by the skeletal muscle mass. Cerebral glucose uptake accounts for half the body's basal glucose production. Since this glucose uptake is concentration-dependent only, hypoglycaemia rapidly leads to cerebral dysfunction. To guarantee cerebral glucose uptake, the body has a dual defense mechanism against hypoglycaemia: hormonal and metabolic counteraction. The first consists of the secretion of glucagon and (nor)epinephrine, the latter of hepatic autoregulation and alternative fuels for noncerebral tissues. In clinical practice, the inappropriate insulin-excess state forms the major cause of hypoglycaemia. There is, however, a second reason why patients with diabetes mellitus are at risk. Diabetes by itself leads to impaired glucagon secretion and, when autonomic neuropathy exists, to diminished (nor)epinephrine secretion. Thus, interference with the latter, such as administration of beta-blocking agents, further impairs hypoglycaemic counterregulation. In fact, numerous studies document delayed recovery from experimentally induced hypoglycaemia in diabetic patients receiving beta-blocking agents. However, using beta 1-selective blocking agents, mean recovery from hypoglycaemia in groups of diabetic patients demonstrates minor delay only.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)