INSULIN HYPOGLYCAEMIA AND CHOLINERGIC BLOCKADE: RESPONSE OF PLASMA IMMUNOREACTIVE β-ENDORPHIN

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Abstract
Six normal subjects were studied to investigate the mechanisms involved in the release of immunoreactive .beta.-endorphin (ir-.beta.EP) in response to insulin hypoglycemia. Insulin alone (0.2 U/kg body wt) was followed after a 30 min lag period by a .simeq. 2.5-fold elevation of plasma ir-.beta.EP, with a return to basal levels by 90 min. Concurrent infusion of 10% dextrose at 250 ml/h for 2 h prevented the increase in plasma ir .beta.EP levels, suggesting an effect of hypoglycemia rather than a direct effect of insulin. Premedication with atropine 0.6 mg at -30 min was followed by hypoglycemia equivalent to that seen with insulin alone, but no increase in plasma ir-.beta.EP, suggesting the involvement of cholinergic mechanisms in the neural mediation of ir.beta.EP release in response to hypoglycemia.