Increase in plasma glucose concentration after intracerebroventricular injection of N,O'-dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate.

The effect of chemical stimulation of the central nervous system was studied in anesthetized rats. (Bu)2 cAMP, cAMP, 5'-adenosine monophosphate (AMP), ATP, and (Bu)2 N6,O2-dibutyryl guanosine-3'5'-cyclic monophosphate sodium salt were injected directly into the third cerebral ventricle, and changes in hepatic venous plasma glucose, immunoreactive glucagon, and insulin concentrations were studied. The injection of (Bu)2cAMP (1 X 10(-8) to 5 X 10(-7) mol/microliter saline) into the third cerebral ventricle caused a dose-dependent hyperglycemia associated with increased immunoreactive glucagon. (Bu)2cAMP-induced hyperglycemia and hyperglucagonemia were inhibited by prior bilateral adrenalectomy. The injection of somatostatin (1 X 10(-9) mol) with (Bu)2cAMP (5 X 10(-7) mol) into the third cerebral ventricle abolished both (Bu)2cAMP-induced hyperglycemia and an increase of glucagon secretion. These results suggest that cAMP may act intracellularly within the central nervous system to increase hepatic glucose output, and this appears to depend on the adrenal gland. Epinephrine secreted from the adrenal gland may directly act on the liver or enhance glucagon secretion, which in turn increases hepatic glucose output.