Biomedical subjects

D B Lacy

Publications and source records attributed to D B Lacy.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMed1991

Efficiency of compensation for absence of fall in insulin during exercise.

To assess compensation for the absence of the exercise-induced fall in insulin, dogs underwent 150 min of treadmill exercise with insulin infused intraportally with (IC + Glc; n = 7) or without (IC; n = 6) glucose clamped. Glucose production (Ra), gluconeogenic conversion (Conv), and intrahepatic gluconeogenic efficiency (Eff) were assessed with tracers ([3H]glucose, [14C]alanine) and arteriovenous differences. Glucose fell by 6 +/- 4 and 11 +/- 2 mg/dl at 30 min of exercise and by 8 +/- 2 and 36 +/- 5 mg/dl at 150 min in IC + Glc and IC. Glucagon rose by 16 +/- 8 and 55 +/- 17 pg/ml by 30 min of exercise and by 18 +/- 6 and 93 +/- 22 pg/ml by 150 min in IC + Glc and IC. Norepinephrine was unaffected by the glycemic decrement in IC, whereas epinephrine was greater for the last 60 min of exercise. Ra rose by an average of 0.9 +/- 0.3 and 3.7 +/- 0.2 mg.kg-1.min-1 in IC + Glc and IC. Conv rose by 91 +/- 39 and 325 +/- 75% in IC + Glc and IC at 150 min of exercise, and Eff rose by 87 +/- 57 and 358 +/- 99%. The compensatory Ra exceeded the maximum possible gluconeogenic rate, indicating that glycogenolysis was also stimulated. In summary, in the absence of the exercise-induced fall in insulin 1) glycemia falls approximately fourfold faster; 2) minimal glycemic decrements elicit a large and rapid increase in Ra; 3) this compensation involves a glycogenolytic and gluconeogenic response; 4) the accelerated gluconeogenic rate is due, in large part, to stimulation of Eff; and 5) the compensatory Ra is likely mediated, in part, by glucagon. Hence, although the fall in insulin is essential for normal glucoregulation during exercise, a highly sensitive counterregulatory response prevents severe hypoglycemia. The remarkable sensitivity of the liver to small changes in glycemia implies that the normal coupling of the exercise-induced increase in Ra to glucose utilization may be signaled by small, nearly imperceptible changes in glucose.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed1990

Differential effects of alpha and beta adrenergic blockade on glucose and lactate metabolism during acute stress.

In this study we examined the role of alpha and beta blockade on glucose and lactate metabolism during the acute stress of insulin-induced hypoglycemia. Three groups of conscious dogs with chronically fitted catheters in the femoral artery and in the femoral, portal, and hepatic veins were studied after an 18-hr fast. After a 1-hr basal period, hypoglycemia was induced with insulin infusion at 5 mU/kg.min for 3 hr. Group 1 received no other treatment. Groups 2 and 3 received, respectively, phentolamine (8 micrograms/kg.min) and propranolol (4 micrograms/kg.min) beginning 30 minutes before and throughout the experimental period. Despite similar hyperinsulinemia, plasma glucose dropped in Group 1 (from 115 +/- 10 to 40 +/- 3 mg/dl) and in Group 2 (from 110 +/- 4 to 60 +/- 3 mg/dl) but in Group 3 it was maintained at 45 +/- 4 mg/dl by exogenous glucose infusion at a rate of 2.2 +/- 0.4 mg/kg.min. Hepatic glucose production increased 50 +/- 13%, 127 +/- 30%, and 55 +/- 30% in Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively, within 60 minutes and was 56 +/- 19%, 55 +/- 17%, and -0.04 +/- 12% during the last hour of the experiment. Glucose utilization did not change in Groups 1 and 2 but it increased in Group 3. Plasma lactate increased in Group 1 (from 850 +/- 190 to 1,980 +/- 450 mumol/L) and in Group 2 (985 +/- 180 to 4,785 +/- 500 mumol/L), while in Group 3 there was an early rise (to 695 +/- 120 mumol/L) within 30 minutes that gradually dropped to near basal.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Hepatic nerves are not essential to the increase in hepatic glucose production during muscular work.

To establish the role of hepatic nerves in hepatic glycogenolytic and gluconeogenic regulation during exercise, dogs underwent a laparotomy during which the hepatic nerves were either left intact (C; n = 8) or cut (DN; n = 5). At least 17 days after surgery, dogs were studied during 150 min of treadmill exercise (12% grade, 100 m/min). Glucose production (Ra) and gluconeogenesis (GNG) were assessed by combining [3-3H]glucose, [U-14C]alanine, and indocyanine green infusions with arterial, portal vein, and hepatic vein sampling. Glucagon and insulin were similar at rest and exercise in both groups. Norepinephrine rose from 145 +/- 10 to 242 +/- 32 pg/ml by 150 min of exercise in C and from 150 +/- 25 to 333 +/- 83 pg/ml in DN. Epinephrine rose from 66 +/- 7 pg/ml at rest to 108 +/- 10 and 148 +/- 24 pg/ml after 30 and 150 min of exercise in C and from 90 +/- 15 pg/ml at rest to 185 +/- 33 (P less than 0.05 compared with C) and 194 +/- 36 pg/ml after 30 and 150 min of exercise in DN. Plasma glucose fell gradually from 108 +/- 2 and 106 +/- 3 mg/dl at rest to 96 +/- 4 and 92 +/- 8 by the end of exercise in C and DN, respectively. Ra was similar in C and DN rising from 3.2 +/- 0.2 to 8.7 +/- 0.6 and 2.6 +/- 0.2 to 7.5 +/- 1.1 mg.kg-1.min-1, respectively, by the end of exercise. Minimum and maximum rates of GNG from alanine, glycerol, and lactate were elevated in DN compared with C during rest and exercise. However, the exercise-induced changes in GNG were similar in both groups. In conclusion, nerves to the liver are not essential to the increased Ra and glucose homeostasis during moderate-intensity exercise.

Alanine↗

PubMed1989

Effects of low- and high-intensity exercise on plasma and cerebrospinal fluid levels of ir-beta-endorphin, ACTH, cortisol, norepinephrine and glucose in the conscious dog.

This study was designed to assess effects of exercise on plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of immunoreactive (ir) beta-endorphin, ACTH, cortisol, norepinephrine, and glucose in the conscious dog. Dogs were exercised on a treadmill at low or high intensity (4.2 miles/h and a 6% or 20% incline) for 90 min, and were allowed to recover for 90 additional min. Neither intensity of exercise changed plasma glucose levels, but dose-related changes in glucose kinetics did occur. CSF glucose declined in both groups. During low intensity exercise, plasma levels of ir-beta-endorphin, ACTH, and cortisol increased with duration of exercise. During high intensity exercise, ACTH, ir-beta-endorphin and cortisol increased faster, and the integrated plasma response of these hormones was greater. Thus, peripheral release of ir-beta-endorphin, ACTH, and cortisol during exercise is dose-related with respect to time and intensity. CSF ir-beta-endorphin and ACTH both increased during low- but not high-intensity exercise. CSF cortisol rose markedly in both exercise groups. During high-intensity exercise there was a 50% increase in CSF norepinephrine, indicating that exercise induces alterations in central noradrenergic turnover. We conclude that exercise is a physiologic regulator of both peripheral and central neuroendocrine systems.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

PubMed1989

Central effects of beta-endorphins on glucose homeostasis in the conscious dog.

The effects of centrally administered beta-endorphins on glucose homeostasis in the conscious dog were studied. Intracerebroventricular administration of beta-endorphin (0.2 mg/h) caused a 70% increase in plasma glucose. The mechanism of the hyperglycemia was twofold: there was an early increase in glucose production and a late inhibition of glucose clearance. These changes are explained by marked increases in plasma epinephrine (30-fold) and norepinephrine (6-fold) that occurred during infusion of beta-endorphin. Central administration of beta-endorphin also resulted in increased levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol. In addition there was an increase in plasma insulin but no increase in plasma glucagon. Intravenous administration of beta-endorphin did not alter glucose homeostasis. Intracerebroventricular administration of acetylated beta-endorphin did not perturb glucose kinetics or any of the hormones that changed during infusion of the unacetylated peptide. We conclude that beta-endorphin acts centrally to cause hyperglycemia by stimulating sympathetic outflow and the pituitary-adrenal axis. Acetylation of beta-endorphin abolishes the in vivo activity of the peptide.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Exercise-induced fall in insulin and hepatic carbohydrate metabolism during muscular work.

To examine the role of the exercise-induced fall in insulin, dogs were studied during 150 min of treadmill exercise alone (C) or with insulin clamped at basal levels by an intraportal infusion so as to prevent the normal fall in its concentration (IC). To counteract the suppressive effect of insulin on glucagon release, glucagon was replaced intraportally in a separate group of dogs in which insulin levels were clamped (IC + G). In all dogs, catheters were placed in an artery and in the portal and hepatic veins for sampling and in the vena cava and the portal vein for infusion purposes. Glucose production (Ra) and gluconeogenesis were assessed with isotope and arteriovenous difference techniques. In C, insulin fell 5 +/- 2 microU/ml by the end of exercise and was unchanged in IC (delta 0 +/- 2 microU/ml) and IC + G (delta 0 +/- 1 microU/ml). Glucagon rose 54 +/- 11 pg/ml with exercise in C and was unchanged in IC (delta - 4 +/- 11 pg/ml), and normal increments were restored in IC + G (delta 55 +/- 10 pg/ml). Catecholamines and cortisol rose similarly in all groups. Ra increased by an average of 4.0 +/- 0.4, 0.9 +/- 0.3, and 1.8 +/- 0.4 mg.kg-1.min-1 during exercise in C, IC, and IC + G, respectively. Gluconeogenesis from alanine rose by 212 +/- 34, 91 +/- 39, and 184 +/- 47% with exercise in C, IC, and IC + G.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alanine↗

PubMed1989

Glucagon is a primary controller of hepatic glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis during muscular work.

The effects of the exercise-induced rise in glucagon were studied during 2.5 h of treadmill exercise in 18-h fasted dogs. Five dogs were studied during paired experiments in which pancreatic hormones were clamped at basal levels during a control period (using somatostatin and intraportal hormone replacement), then altered during exercise to stimulate the normal exercise-induced fall in insulin, while glucagon was 1) increased to mimic its normal exercise-induced rise (SG) and 2) maintained at a basal level (BG). Six additional dogs were studied as described with saline infusion alone (C). Gluconeogenesis (GNG) and glucose production (Ra) were measured using tracers [( 3-3H]glucose and [U-14C]alanine) and arteriovenous differences. Glucose fell slightly during exercise in C and was infused in SG and BG so as to mimic the response in C. Glucagon rose from 60 +/- 3 and 74 +/- 5 pg/ml to 118 +/- 14 and 122 +/- 17 pg/ml with exercise in C and SG and was unchanged from basal in BG (67 +/- 6 pg/ml). In C, SG, and BG, insulin fell during exercise by 5 +/- 1, 6 +/- 1, and 6 +/- 1 microU/ml. Ra rose from 3.3 +/- 0.2 and 3.0 +/- 0.2 mg.kg-1.min-1 to 8.6 +/- 0.8 and 9.5 +/- 1.5 mg.kg-1.min-1 with exercise in C and SG, but from only 3.0 +/- 0.2 to 5.5 +/- 0.8 mg.kg-1.min-1 in BG. GNG increased by 248 +/- 38 and 183 +/- 75% with exercise in C and SG but by only 56 +/- 21% in BG. Intrahepatic gluconeogenic efficiency was also enhanced by the rise in glucagon increasing by 338 +/- 55 and 198 +/- 52% in C and SG but by only 54 +/- 46% in BG. The rise in hepatic fractional alanine extraction was 0.38 +/- 0.04 and 0.33 +/- 0.04 during exercise in C and SG and only 0.08 +/- 0.06 in BG. Ra was increased beyond that which could be explained by effects on GNG alone, hence hepatic glycogenolysis must have also been enhanced by the rise in glucagon. In conclusion, in the dog, the exercise-induced rise in glucagon 1) controls approximately 65% of the increase in Ra, 2) increases hepatic glycogenolysis and GNG, and 3) enhances GNG by stimulating precursor extraction by the liver and precursor conversion to glucose within the liver.

Alanine↗

PubMed1989

Effects of naloxone on glucose homeostasis during insulin-induced hypoglycemia.

The present study was designed to examine the role played by beta-endorphin in the physiological response to the stress of insulin-induced hypoglycemia. Three groups (n = 5, each) of conscious overnight-fasted dogs, chronically fitted with catheters in the femoral artery and in the third ventricle were used for these studies. Each experiment consisted of an 80-min equilibration period (0-80 min), a 40-min basal period (80-120 min), and a 180-min (120-300 min) experimental period. One group received a 220-min intracerebroventricular (icv) infusion of naloxone (0.2 mg/h) beginning at t = 80 min. The second group received a 3-h intravenous infusion of insulin at 5.0 mU.kg-1.min-1 beginning at t = 120 min. The third group received naloxone at t = 80 min and insulin beginning at t = 120 min, and both were continued throughout the experimental period. The studies show that insulin-induced hypoglycemia was associated with a rise in plasma cortisol, beta-endorphin, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and glucagon. Pretreatment with naloxone diminished the rises in plasma beta-endorphin, epinephrine, and norepinephrine without affecting the responses of plasma glucagon and cortisol. Although the levels of hypoglycemia achieved in the two groups were identical, glucose rates of appearance into and disappearance from the plasma compartment were higher in the group pretreated with icv naloxone (P less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Exercise-induced fall in insulin and increase in fat metabolism during prolonged muscular work.

The role of the exercise-induced fall in insulin in fat metabolism was studied in dogs during 150 min of treadmill exercise alone (controls) or with insulin clamped at basal levels by an intraportal infusion to prevent the normal fall in insulin concentration (ICs). To counteract the suppressive effect of insulin on glucagon release, glucagon was supplemented by an intraportal infusion in ICs. In all dogs, catheters were placed in a carotid artery and in the portal and hepatic veins for sampling and in the vena cava and the splenic vein for infusion purposes. Glucose levels were clamped in ICs to recreate the glycemic response evident in controls. In controls, insulin fell by 7 +/- 1 microU/ml but was unchanged from basal levels in ICs (0 +/- 2 microU/ml). Glucagon, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and cortisol rose similarly in controls and ICs. Arterial free-fatty acid (FFA) levels rose by 644 +/- 126 mu eq/L in controls but did not increase in ICs (-12 +/- 148 mu eq/L). Arterial glycerol levels rose by 337 +/- 43 and 183 +/- 19 microM in controls and ICs. Hepatic FFA delivery and fractional extraction increased by 17 +/- 3 and 0.06 +/- 0.02 mumol.kg-1.min-1, respectively, in controls. In ICs, hepatic FFA delivery increased by only 1 +/- 2 mumol.kg-1.min-1, whereas hepatic fractional extraction fell slightly (-0.03 +/- 0.03). Consequently, net hepatic FFA uptake rose by 4.8 +/- 1.5 mumol.kg-1.min-1 in controls but decreased slightly in ICs (-0.5 +/- 1.1 mumol.kg-1.min-1).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Exercise-induced rise in glucagon and ketogenesis during prolonged muscular work.

These experiments examined the role of the exercise-induced increment in glucagon in the control of ketogenesis during prolonged moderate-intensity (100 m/min, 12% grade) treadmill exercise. Dogs were studied during 150 min of exercise with saline infusion alone (C; n = 6) with the glucagon levels clamped at basal values (somatostatin infusion with basal glucagon replacement and the normal fall in insulin simulated; BG; n = 5) or with the normal exercise-induced rise in glucagon simulated (somatostatin infusion with the rise in glucagon and the fall in insulin simulated; SG; n = 5). Glucose was infused as needed in SG and BG to maintain the glycemic response seen in C. In all dogs, catheters were inserted into the carotid artery and the portal and hepatic veins for blood sampling and the vena cava and the splenic vein for infusions. Glucagon rose from 62 +/- 5 and 57 +/- 4 pg/ml at rest to 104 +/- 20 and 120 +/- 12 pg/ml during exercise in C and SG but did not deviate from basal in BG (56 +/- 3 pg/ml). Insulin fell similarly from rest to the end of exercise in C (13 +/- 2 to 5 +/- 1 microU/ml), SG (11 +/- 1 to 6 +/- 1 microU/ml), and BG (10 +/- 1 to 6 +/- 1 microU/ml). In C, SG, and BG, free-fatty acid (FFA) levels rose from 941 +/- 81, 1240 +/- 155, and 938 +/- 36 mu eq/L at rest to 1615 +/- 149, 1558 +/- 175, and 1391 +/- 160 mu eq/L with exercise.2+n C,

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Effects of insulin-induced hypoglycemia on plasma and cerebrospinal fluid levels of ir-beta-endorphins, ACTH, cortisol, norepinephrine, insulin and glucose in the conscious dog.

This study was designed to assess effects of insulin-induced hypoglycemia on plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of immunoreactive (ir) beta-endorphins, adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), cortisol, norepinephrine, insulin, and glucose in the conscious, overnight fasted dog. Dogs received either an intravenous infusion of saline or insulin (5 mU/kg/min) for 3 h. Infusion of saline alone in conjunction with acute sampling of CSF caused no measurable perturbations of glucose homeostasis. Insulin infusion caused a 60% drop in both plasma and CSF glucose. Plasma levels of ir-beta-endorphins, ACTH and cortisol rose markedly. CSF levels of ir-beta-endorphins and ACTH also increased. While the magnitude of the increase was smaller than that in the plasma, it was greater than would be expected if crossover of the peptides from the plasma were the sole source of the increase. Hypoglycemia also induced elevations in CSF cortisol and insulin. In addition, there was a 45% decrease in CSF norepinephrine in spite of large elevations of norepinephrine in the plasma. We conclude that hypoglycemia is associated with marked changes in central as well as peripheral levels of neuroendocrine factors. The importance of these changes in mediating acute and long-term responses to hypoglycemia remains to be established.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

PubMed1988

Importance of intrahepatic mechanisms to gluconeogenesis from alanine during exercise and recovery.

These studies were performed to assess the importance of intrahepatic mechanisms to gluconeogenesis in the dog during 150 min of treadmill exercise and 90 min of recovery. Sampling catheters were implanted in an artery and portal and hepatic veins 16 days before experimentation. Infusions of [U-14C]alanine, [3-3H]glucose, and indocyanine green were used to assess gluconeogenesis. During exercise, a decline in arterial and portal vein plasma alanine and in hepatic blood flow led to a decrease in hepatic alanine delivery. During recovery, hepatic blood flow was restored to basal, causing an increase in hepatic alanine delivery beyond exercise rates but still below resting rates. Hepatic fractional alanine extraction increased from 0.26 +/- 0.02 at rest to 0.64 +/- 0.03 during exercise and remained elevated during recovery. Net hepatic alanine uptake was 2.5 +/- 0.2 mumol.kg-1.min-1 at rest and remained unchanged during exercise but was increased during recovery. The conversion rate of [14C]alanine to glucose had increased by 248 +/- 38% by 150 min of exercise and had increased further during recovery. The efficiency with which alanine was channeled into glucose in the liver was accelerated to a rate of 338 +/- 55% above basal by 150 min of exercise but declined slightly during recovery. In conclusion, 1) gluconeogenesis from alanine is accelerated during exercise, due to an increase in the hepatic fractional extraction of the amino acid and through intrahepatic mechanisms that more efficiently channel it into glucose.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alanine↗

PubMed1988

Metabolic role of the exercise-induced increment in epinephrine in the dog.

The role of the exercise-induced increment in epinephrine was studied in five adrenalectomized (ADX) and in six normal dogs (C). Experiments consisted of an 80-min equilibration period, a 40-min basal period, and a 150-min exercise period. ADX were studied with epinephrine replaced to basal levels during rest and to increased levels during exercise to simulate its normal rise (HE) and on a separate day with epinephrine maintained at basal levels throughout the study (BE). Cortisol was replaced during rest and exercise in ADX so as to simulate the levels seen in C. Glucose was infused as needed in ADX to maintain the glycemia evident during exercise in C. Glucose production (Ra) and utilization (Rd) were assessed isotopically. In C, epinephrine had risen by 95 +/- 25 pg/ml by the end of exercise. In HE, the increment in epinephrine (117 +/- 29 pg/ml) was similar to that seen in C, whereas in BE epinephrine fell by 18 +/- 9 pg/ml. Basal norepinephrine levels were 139 +/- 9, 260 +/- 25, and 313 +/- 33 pg/ml in C, HE, and BE, respectively. In response to exercise, norepinephrine increased by nearly twofold in all protocols. Basal and exercise-induced changes in plasma glucagon and insulin were similar in C and ADX. Ra increased similarly in C (5.3 +/- 0.6 mg.kg-1.min-1) and HE (4.9 +/- 0.6 mg.kg-1.min-1). In BE, Ra rose normally for the initial 90 min but then declined resulting in a rise of only 2.9 +/- 0.5 mg.kg-1.min-1 after 150 min of exercise.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adrenalectomy↗

PubMed1988

Stimulation of glucose production through hormone secretion and other mechanisms during insulin-induced hypoglycemia.

To assess the role of counterregulatory hormones per se in the response to continuous insulin infusion, overnight-fasted dogs were given 5 mU.kg-1.min-1 insulin intraportally either alone (INS, n = 5), with glucose to maintain euglycemia (INS + GLU, n = 5), or with glucose and hormone replacement [i.e., glucagon, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol infusions (INS + GLU + HR, n = 6)]. The increases in counterregulatory hormones that occurred during insulin-induced hypoglycemia were simulated in the latter group. In this way, it was possible to separate the effects of hypoglycemia per se from those due to the associated counterregulatory hormone response. Glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis were measured with a combination of tracer ([ 3-3H]glucose and [U-14C]alanine) and hepatic arteriovenous (AV) difference techniques during a 40-min control and a 180-min experimental period. Insulin levels increased similarly in all groups (to congruent to 250 microU/ml), whereas plasma glucose levels decreased in INS (115 +/- 3 to 41 +/- 3 mg/dl; P less than .05) and rose slightly in both INS + GLU (108 +/- 2 to 115 +/- 4 mg/dl; P less than .05) and INS + GLU + HR (111 +/- 3 to 120 +/- 3 mg/dl; P less than .05) due to glucose infusion. Glucagon, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol were replaced in INS + GLU + HR so that the increments in their levels were 102 +/- 6, 106 +/- 14, 117 +/- 9, and 124 +/- 37%, respectively, of their increments in INS. At no time was there a significant difference between the hormone levels in INS and INS + GLU + HR. The rise in the counterregulatory hormones per se accounted for only half (53 +/- 9% by the AV difference method and 54 +/- 10% by tracer method) of the glucose production associated with hypoglycemia resulting from insulin infusion. The rate and efficiency of alanine conversion to glucose in the hormone-replacement studies were only 29 +/- 10 and 50 +/- 27% of what occurred during hypoglycemia induced by insulin infusion. In conclusion, the counterregulatory hormones alone (i.e., without accompanying hypoglycemia) can account for only 50% of the glucose production that is present during insulin-induced hypoglycemia. The remaining 50%, therefore, must result from effects of hypoglycemia other than its ability to trigger hormone release.

Alanine↗

PubMed1988

Role of gluconeogenesis in sustaining glucose production during hypoglycemia caused by continuous insulin infusion in conscious dogs.

The roles of glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis in sustaining glucose production during insulin-induced hypoglycemia were assessed in overnight-fasted conscious dogs. Insulin was infused intraportally for 3 h at 5 mU.kg-1.min-1 in five animals, and glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis were measured by using a combination of tracer [( 3-3H]glucose and [U-14C]alanine) and hepatic arteriovenous difference techniques. In response to the elevated insulin level (263 +/- 39 microU/ml), plasma glucose level fell (41 +/- 3 mg/dl), and levels of the counterregulatory hormones glucagon, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol increased (91 +/- 29 to 271 +/- 55 pg/ml, 83 +/- 26 to 2356 +/- 632 pg/ml, 128 +/- 31 to 596 +/- 81 pg/ml, and 1.5 +/- 0.4 to 11.1 +/- 1.0 micrograms/dl, respectively; for all, P less than .05). Glucose production fell initially and then doubled (3.1 +/- 0.3 to 6.1 +/- 0.5 mg.kg-1.min-1; P less than .05) by 60 min. Net hepatic gluconeogenic precursor uptake increased approximately eightfold by the end of the hypoglycemic period. By the same time, the efficiency with which the liver converted the gluconeogenic precursors to glucose rose twofold. Five control experiments in which euglycemia was maintained by glucose infusion during insulin administration (5.0 mU.kg-1.min-1) provided baseline data. Glycogenolysis accounted for 69-88% of glucose production during the 1st h of hypoglycemia, whereas gluconeogenesis accounted for 48-88% of glucose production during the 3rd h of hypoglycemia. These data suggest that gluconeogenesis is the key process for the normal counterregulatory response to prolonged and marked hypoglycemia.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Role of acidosis in regulating hepatic nitrogen metabolism during fasting in conscious dog.

This study was designed to investigate the role that acidosis plays in the metabolic responses to fasting. Eighteen conscious dogs with surgically implanted catheters in the femoral artery and in the hepatic, portal, and renal veins were studied. Six were fasted for 24 h and 12 were fasted for 4 days (96 h). On the day of the study, six 4-day fasted dogs were infused intravenously with NaHCO3 (10 mumol X kg-1 X min-1) for 3 h, while the rest received saline and acted as controls. Splanchnic balances of glutamine, alanine, blood urea nitrogen, ammonia, lactate, beta-hydroxybutyrate, and acetoacetate were estimated using the Fick principle. Blood flow to the splanchnic and renal beds were estimated using indocyanine green and p-aminohippurate extraction methods, respectively. The infusion of NaHCO3 nearly abolished the base deficit associated with fasting and normalized arterial bicarbonate levels but did not alter blood pH. It suppressed but did not abolish hepatic glutamine output by 60%. This was associated with a shift in cytoplasmic and mitochondrial redox potentials of the hepatocyte as evident by a decrease in hepatic production of beta-hydroxybutyrate and an increase in hepatic production of acetoacetate and a decrease in hepatic lactate utilization. Concomitantly, renal glutamine uptake decreased. Glutamine release of skeletal muscle was unchanged. The data suggest that hepatic glutamine synthesis and release seen with 4-day fasting has two components: a bicarbonate-dependent component that is influenced by the redox potential of the hepatocyte and a bicarbonate-independent component, the nature of which is not yet clear.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acidosis↗

PubMed1987

Dynamics of hepatic lactate and glucose balances during prolonged exercise and recovery in the dog.

The present experiments were undertaken to assess dynamics of hepatic lactate and glucose balance in the over-night-fasted dog during 150 min of moderate-intensity treadmill exercise and 90 min of exercise recovery. Catheters were implanted chronically in an artery and portal and hepatic veins 16 days before experimentation. 3-3H-glucose was infused to determine hepatic glucose uptake, as well as tracer-determined glucose production by isotope dilution (Ra). At rest, net hepatic lactate output was 0.33 +/- 0.15 mg.kg-1.min-1 and increased to 2.26 +/- 0.82 mg.kg-1.min-1 after 10 min of exercise, after which it fell such that the liver was a net lactate consumer by the end of exercise and through recovery. In contrast to the rapid release of lactate, net hepatic glucose output rose gradually from 2.58 +/- 0.20 mg.kg-1.min-1 at rest to 8.87 +/- 0.85 mg.kg-1.min-1 after 60 min of exercise, beyond which it did not change significantly until the cessation of exercise. Hepatic glucose uptake at rest was 1.38 +/- 0.42 mg.kg-1.min-1 and did not change appreciably during exercise or recovery. Absolute hepatic glucose output (net glucose output plus uptake) rose from 3.96 +/- 0.45 mg.kg-1.min-1 at rest to 10.20 +/- 1.09 mg.kg-1.min-1 after 60 min of exercise and was 9.65 +/- 1.15 mg.kg-1.min-1 at 150 min of exercise. Ra rose from 3.34 +/- 0.21 mg.kg-1.min-1 to 7.58 +/- 0.73 and 8.59 +/- 0.77 mg.kg-1.min-1 at 60 and 150 min, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Similar dose responsiveness of hepatic glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis to glucagon in vivo.

This study was undertaken to determine whether the dose-dependent effect of glucagon on gluconeogenesis parallels its effect on hepatic glycogenolysis in conscious overnight-fasted dogs. Endogenous insulin and glucagon secretion were inhibited by somatostatin (0.8 micrograms X kg-1 X min-1), and intraportal replacement infusions of insulin (213 +/- 28 microU X kg-1 X min-1) and glucagon (0.65 ng X kg-1 X min-1) were given to maintain basal hormone concentrations for 2 h (12 +/- 2 microU/ml and 108 +/- 23 pg/ml, respectively). The glucagon infusion was then increased 2-, 4-, 8-, or 12-fold for 3 h, whereas the rate of insulin infusion was left unchanged. Glucose production (GP) was determined with 3-[3H]glucose, and gluconeogenesis (GNG) was assessed with tracer (U-[14C]alanine conversion to [14C]glucose) and arteriovenous difference (hepatic fractional extraction of alanine, FEA) techniques. Increases in plasma glucagon of 53 +/- 8, 199 +/- 48, 402 +/- 28, and 697 +/- 149 pg/ml resulted in initial (15-30 min) increases in GP of 1.1 +/- 0.4 (N = 4), 4.9 +/- 0.5 (N = 4), 6.5 +/- 0.6 (N = 6), and 7.7 +/- 1.4 (N = 4) mg X kg-1 X min-1, respectively; increases in GNG (approximately 3 h) of 48 +/- 19, 151 +/- 50, 161 +/- 25, and 157 +/- 7%, respectively; and increases in FEA (3 h) of 0.14 +/- 0.07, 0.37 +/- 0.05, 0.42 +/- 0.04, and 0.40 +/- 0.17, respectively. In conclusion, GNG and glycogenolysis were similarly sensitive to stimulation by glucagon in vivo, and the dose-response curves were markedly parallel.

Alanine↗