Effect of centrally administered glucagon on urinary sodium and potassium concentration in dogs

The effects of glucagon administration through intracerebroventricular (ICV), third ventricular (TV) and intracisternal (I") routes on urinary sodium and potassium concentration have been studied in mongrel dogs. The central administration of glucagon resulted in a significant decrease in urinary sodium concentration (P less than 0.01) and increase in urinary potassium concentration (P less than 0.001). This change in urinary sodium and potassium concentration on central administration of glucagon was abolished in animals which were ventured to either sympathetic denervation or adrenalectomy. The observations in the present study suggest that the changes in urinary sodium and potassium concentration on central administration of glucagon, are due to increased secretion of some substance from the adrenals and the probable efferents might be the sympathetic fibres.