Effects of alpha 2- and beta-adrenergic agonism on glucagon secretion from perfused pancreata of normal and streptozocin-induced diabetic rats.

ABSTRACT

Insulin secretion is known to be inhibited by alpha 2-adrenergic agonism and stimulated by beta-adrenergic agonism in both experimental animals and humans. In contrast, adrenergic regulation of glucagon secretion remains controversial. This study was designed to determine the effects of alpha 2- and beta-adrenergic agonism on islet alpha cells, using isolated perfused pancreata of normal and streptozocin-induced diabetic (STZ-D) rats. The alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist clonidine at a concentration of 10(-7) mol/L significantly stimulated glucagon secretion as compared with basal levels in both normal (1,286 +/- 90 v 417 +/- 53 ng/L, P < .01) and STZ-D rats (551 +/- 86 v 130 +/- 19 ng/L, P < .01). Also, the beta-adrenoceptor agonist isoproterenol at a concentration of 10(-7) mol/L significantly stimulated glucagon secretion as compared with basal levels in both normal (751 +/- 130 v 347 +/- 41 ng/L, P < .05) and STZ-D rats (182 +/- 22 v 92 +/- 20 ng/L, P < .01). Furthermore, these alpha 2- and beta-agonistic effects were almost completely inhibited in the presence of the alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine and the beta-adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol at a concentration of 10(-6) mol/L, respectively. Insulin secretion was markedly reduced in STZ-D rats. These results suggest that even in a severely diabetic state, not only beta- but also also alpha 2-adrenergic agonism stimulates glucagon secretion from rat pancreatic alpha cells.