CHLORPROPAMIDE-INDUCED LEUCINE HYPOGLYCEMIA*

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The administration of L-leucine alone to normal dogs slightly lowered blood glucose concentration. Leucine given 2 or 12 hours after chlorpropamide pretreatment produced significantly greater hypoglycemia but this effect was not seen when leucine was given after chronic chlorpropamide administration. Experiments performed on both intact dogs and dogs with portacaval shunt indicated that this augmented hypoglycemic response to L-leucine after chlorpropamide is accompanied by a marked decrease in positive hepatic glucose balance. It is suggested that L-leucine acts similarly in all situations to inhibit hepatic glucose output and that the resultant fall in blood glucose concentration will vary considerably, depending on the status of other homeostatic mechanisms for maintenance of euglycemia at the time L-leucine is administered.