Autonomic nervous system control of glucagon secretion during neuroglucopenia

The role which the autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays in controlling glucagon (IRG) secretion is controversial. Strong activation of the ANS was achieved in baboons with 500 mg/kg 2-deoxyglucose, producing a 20-fold rise in epinephrine and a 15-fold rise in IRG. Under such circumstances, the IRG response was attenuated by both alpha- and beta-adrenergic blockade, strongly suggesting that this part of the IRG rise post 2-deoxyglucose was mediated via adrenergic mechanisms. The baboon is similar to man, with the sympatho-adrenal axis having little influence on IRG secretion during mild activation of the ANS. However, during stronger ANS activation with 2-deoxyglucose, a clear effect of the sympatho-adrenal axis on IRG secretion was demonstrated. Whether experiments in primates demonstrate an effect of the ANS on IRG secretion may depend primarily on the strength of the neural response elicted.