Effects of beta-adrenergic blockade on plasma cyclic AMP and blood sugar responses to glucagon and isoproterenol in man.

In healthy humans glucagon infusion resulted in a significant increase in blood sugar and in plasma cyclic AMP. No discernible hemodynamic effects were found. Isoproterenol infusion on a mole per mole basis in the same subjects induced a significant, although less pronounced rise in plasma cyclic AMP, heart rate, and a fall in diastolic blood pressure but had no effect on blood sugar. Propranolol administration abolished the hemodynamic effects of isoproterenol and significantly decreased the response of plasma cyclic AMP; the same blocking dosage had little effect on plasma cyclic AMP changes induced by glucagon wheras the response in blood sugar was significantly reduced. These data in vivo are compatible with the in vitro demonstration of separate receptors for glucagon and isoproterenol.