The effects of acute insulin-induced hypoglycaemia on renal function in normal human subjects

The effects of acute insulin-induced hypoglycaemia on renal function were studied in 8 normal male subjects. Plasma glucose (mean (SE) fell from 4.6(0.2) to 1.3(0.2) mmol l(-1), the nadir being coincident with the acute autonomic reaction, and returned to the basal value over the following 120 min. Glomerular filtration rate declined from 118(6) to 95(4) ml min-1 at the glucose nadir (p less than 0.01), and during the recovery phase returned to 118(7) ml min-1 (NS compared with basal). Renal plasma flow fell from 625(38) to 485(27) ml min-1 (p less than 0.01), rising to 545(46) ml min-1 during recovery from hypoglycaemia (NS compared with basal). Following hypoglycaemia, urinary excretion of sodium and dopamine were reduced significantly, but the albumin excretion rate was unchanged. Plasma concentrations of adrenaline, noradrenaline, angiotensin II, and plasma renin activity increased in response to hypoglycaemia. These acute changes in renal function are probably caused by sympatho-adrenal activation and secretion of catecholamines, but other hormones, such as angiotensin II, may be contributory.