Effect of adrenergic drugs on glucose and plasma glucagon and insulin responses to xylazine in sheep

Abstract

Xylazine was administered intravenously (0.16 mg/kg) to sheep. This was associated with a transient hyperglucagonaemia, hypoinsulinaemia and hyperglycaemia. The rate of glucose appearance as determined by isotope dilution techniques was increased three to four fold during the first 20 minutes after xylazine administration. Phentolamine prevented the xylazine-induced increase in the rate of appearance of glucose, and in concentrations of glucose and glucagon in plasma. The insulin response was not altered by phentolamine. Propranolol had no effect on the glucose and hormonal responses due to xylazine. The xylazine-induced effects on glucose metabolism and secretion by glucagon and insulin appear to be mediated by the alpha-adrenoceptors.