Drug-induced adrenaline release and blood glucose in rats: DL-1-methyl-2-(beta-naphthyl)-aziridine

Effects of 1-methyl-2-(beta-naphthyl)-aziridine (250059-S), which possesses characteristic tranquilizing actions on levels of blood glucose and liver glygogen, and on adrenaline release from the adrenal gland were studied in rats. While there was no elevation of blood glucose, a decrease of liver glycogen was detected after an s.c. injection of 250059-S (5 or 25 mg/kg). Marked decrease of adrenaline content in adrenal glands was observed 2 hours after subcutaneous administration of 50 mg/kg of this compound. This result is consistent with the marked adrenaline secretion from the adrenal gland into adrenal-venous blood after injection of 25 mg/kg or more of 250059-S. In splanchnicotomized rats, however, 250059-S-induced adrenaline release was not clearly observed. Pretreatment with 250059-S, prevented adrenaline-induced hyperglycemia. 250059-S, at doses of 10 and 25 mg/kg, elevated the plasma insulin level to about twice that of the control. The 250059-S-induced depletion of liver glycogen was not completely blocked by adrenal demedullation, although it completely disappeared with pretreatment with 10 mg/kg of propranolol. In conclusion, 250059-S causes hypersecretion of adrenaline from the adrenal glands through excitation of the splanchnic nerves, though it causes no elevation of blood glucose, mainly because of its direct or indirect blocking action on adrenaline hyperglycemia.