Hyperglycemic effect of high doses of dobutamine in the rat: studies of insulin and glucagon secretion.

The influence of dobutamine on glucoregulation has been assessed in the rat during and after an intravenous infusion given at the following doses: 0, 0.1, 1.0, 10, 100, and 1000 micrograms X kg-1 X min-1. Plasma glucose, insulin, and glucagon levels were measured at 15-min intervals in unanesthetized previously cannulated rats. Basal glucose levels were preserved with the less than or equal to 10 micrograms X kg-1 X min-1 doses. At the greater than or equal to 100 micrograms X kg-1 X min-1 doses, a marked hyperglycemic effect was observed, partly attributable to some inhibitory effect of dobutamine on glucose-induced insulin secretion and to its stimulatory effect on glucagon secretion. Such data suggest that dobutamine may disturb the normal glucose homeostasis, particularly in situations of deficient insulin reserve.