EFFECTS OF CLONIDINE ON GLUCOSE-PRODUCTION AND INSULIN-SECRETION OF CATTLE

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 41  (11) , 1769-1772
Abstract
Clonidine 2-(2,6-dichlorophenylamine)-2-imidazoline hydrochloride, a potent .alpha.-adrenoceptor stimulant, was given to dairy heifers. Administration of either 2 or 20 .mu.g of drug/kg during 10 min resulted in decreased immunoreactive serum insulin (IRI) concentrations and increased serum glucose concentrations 5 min after administration. Drug administration resulted in a protracted decrease (P < 0.01) of serum IRI and a protracted increase (P < 0.01) in serum glucose. Doses differed significantly (P < 0.01) with regard to their ability to alter IRI and glucose concentrations. Clonidine significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced glucose release from liver slices of heifers in vitro. Clonidine stimulated cAMP production in liver tissue slices when they were incubated in the presence (or absence) of theophylline, indicating that the mechanisms bringing about changes in liver glucose release and cAMP production were related.