The effect of betamethasone on glucose production and on gluconeogenesis from amino acids in sheep.

Abstract

SUMMARY Primed continuous infusions of tracer amounts of [U-14C]glucose and of [U-14C]labelled mixed amino acids were used to measure plasma glucose and amino acid entry rates and to obtain an index of the incorporation of amino acid carbon into glucose by sheep before and 24 h after a single intramuscular injection of betamethasone. Maximum hyperglycaemia occurred 24 h after administration of the steroid, but there was no significant change in arterial amino acid concentration. Mean glucose entry rate was significantly raised 24 h after steroid administration. The rate of incorporation of amino acid carbon into glucose also increased significantly. The increases in plasma glucose concentration and in glucose entry confirm the authors' previous results. The results also indicate that a significant proportion of the additional glucose entry is synthesized from amino acid carbon.