Glycemic response to selected sympathomimetics in stressed normal and goldthioglucose mice

Single intraperitoneal doses of phenylephrine (PE), phenylpropanolamine (PPA) and pseudoephedrine (PSD) have differing effects on blood glucose in stressed, normal and goldthioglucose (GTG) mice. PE in normal and GTG mice caused a pronounced but temporary rise in blood glucose while PPA failed to show a significant effect on resting blood glucose in either animal. PSD, in normal and GTG mice, caused a hyperglycemia at 2 h after treatment. Reduced stress conditions (nonrepeated orbital sinus blood sampling) or adrenalectomy eliminated the PSD delayed hyperglycemia in normal mice. PSD did not alter immunoreactive insulin levels at 2 h; however, PSD caused significantly higher corticosterone levels in normal and GTG mice at 2 h. PPA, which did not cause hyperglycemia, had no effect on corticosterone levels at 2 h in normal mice.