Effects of adrenergic blockade on serum potassium changes in response to acute insulin-induced hypoglycemia in nondiabetic humans.
Diabetes Care
; 14(7): 548-52, 1991 Jul.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-1680616
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
To determine the possible role of adrenergic mechanisms in mediating the fall in serum potassium concentration after intravenous injection of insulin. RESEARCH DESIGN ANDMETHODS:
Eighteen nondiabetic male volunteers, divided into three groups of six subjects, comprised the study. Hypoglycemia was induced by a bolus of short-acting insulin (0.15 U/kg body wt). Six subjects were studied in control conditions, six during alpha-adrenergic blockade with phentolamine, and six during beta-adrenergic blockade with propranolol.RESULTS:
In the control group, there was an immediate fall in serum potassium from 4.0 +/- 0.1 to 3.6 +/- 0.1 mM at baseline + 15 min. After the onset of acute hypoglycemia, potassium decreased further in the control group, reaching a lowest concentration of 3.3 +/- 0.1 mM. In the propranolol group, the late decrease in potassium was inhibited, and there were no further changes in serum potassium. During alpha-blockade, there was an exaggerated fall to 2.6 +/- 0.1 mM at 30 min after the onset of hypoglycemia.CONCLUSIONS:
The later fall in serum potassium, which occurs after the onset of hypoglycemia, is probably mediated by stimulation of beta-adrenoreceptors, whereas coincidental stimulation of alpha-adrenoreceptors opposes this fall in potassium and may prevent the development of severe hypokalemia in response to acute hypoglycemia.
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Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Fentolamina
/
Potasio
/
Propranolol
/
Antagonistas Adrenérgicos alfa
/
Antagonistas Adrenérgicos beta
/
Fibras Adrenérgicas
/
Hipoglucemia
/
Insulina
Tipo de estudio:
Clinical_trials
Límite:
Adult
/
Humans
/
Male
Idioma:
En
Año:
1991
Tipo del documento:
Article