Regulation of muscle fructose 2, 6-bisphosphate levels by sulfonylureas.

We examined the effect of sulfonylureas on the level of fructose 2, 6-bisphosphate (F-2, 6-P2) in muscle using a mouse hindlimb flow-through perfusion system. The F-2, 6-P2 level in muscle was increased by adding glibenclamide or tolbutamide in a dose-dependent manner. The stimulatory potency of each drug on F-2, 6-P2 formation was parallel to its hypoglycemic potency. Sulfonylurea stimulation of muscle F-2, 6-P2 formation is thought to be an important extrapancreatic action improving the deranged carbohydrate metabolism in diabetics.