Effect of 5-hydroxytryptamine on blood glucose and cyclic AMP in the rat

The effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) on plasma cyclic AMP (cAMP) and glucose concentrations were studied in rats in vivo. 5-HT injected i.p. increased plasma cAMP and glucose. Injections of propranolol, hexamethonium, and cyproheptadine inhibited the 5-HT-induced increase in glucose but not in cAMP. Atropine did not inhibit the action of 5-HT. These effects of 5-HT were not seen in adrenomedullectomized rats, and 5-HT did not elevate the concentration of plasma cAMP in anti-glucagon antiserum-injected rats. These results confirm the previously reported finding that 5-HT-induced increase in blood glucose is mediated via adrenaline released from adrenal medulla by 5-HT and suggest that the increase in plasma cAMP, induced by 5-HT, is due to glucagon released by an unknown factor, or factors other than adrenaline released from the adrenal medulla by 5-HT.