Does Adrenergic Activity Suppress Insulin Secretion During Surgery?

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Abstract
Peroperative inhibition of insulin release is widely attributed to increased .alpha.-adrenergic activity. To test this hypothesis serum insulin and glucose concentrations were measured at short intervals in 11 patients who underwent major surgery. Five patients were anesthetized with halothane and 6 with general anesthesia without halothane. The results were similar in both patient groups; halothane had no effect on insulin. Suppression of insulin under operations if probably not due to activation of the .alpha.-adrenergic receptors of the pancreatic .beta.-cells. Suppression of insulin secretion during surgery may be caused by adrenaline, [epinephrine], which, in competing for the glucose receptors, insensitizes the pancreatic .beta.-cells.