Some metabolic effects of adrenergic drugs in Bubalus bubalis

The effects of intravenous administration of equimolar doses of adrenaline (20.00 microgram/kg), noradrenaline (18.47 microgram/kg) and isoprenaline (23.06 microgram/kg) on blood glucose, serum total protein, serum total cholesterol and serum urea were investigated in buffalo calves. There was significant increase in blood glucose level with all the sympathomimetic amines 5 min after their administration (P less than 0.05). Adrenaline and noradrenaline were almost equipotent in inducing hyperglycaemic response whereas the effect of isoprenaline was relatively less and short-lived. The increased glucose levels returned to pre-administration levels within 5 hr. These sympathomimetic amines produced no significant changes in other metabolic parameters viz. serum levels of total cholesterol, total protein and urea.