Catecholamine-induced hyperglycemia in dogs: independence from alterations in pancreatic hormone release

Although isoproterenol is a very effective hyperglycemic agent in dogs, other species such as rats, baboons and man are resistant to this effect. In each of these species catecholamines exert pronounced effects on insulin and glucagon release from the pancreas. In man, baboons, and rats catecholamine-induced alterations in pancreatic hormone release indirectly influence the hyperglycemic response to these amines: glucagon release supports and insulin release limits hyperglycemic responses. In contrast, the present study demonstrates that in dogs catecholamine-induced hyperglycemic responses are relatively independent of concurrent alterations in pancreatic hormone release. In dogs isoproterenol produces hyperglycemia equal to or greater than responses to epinephrine despite large increases in insulin release produced by isoproterenol. Moreover, catecholamine-induced hyperglycemia is not significantly altered when insulin and glucagon release are blocked with somatostatin.