Effect of adrenergic receptor blockade on cortisol and GH response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia in man.

The effect of several drugs presumably influencing central catecholaminergic receptors on plasma cortisol and GH response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia was studied in healthy adult males. The intravenous infusion of alpha-adrenergic blocking agents tolazoline or phentolamine supressed plasma cortisol and GH response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia. After an infusion of beta-adrenergic antagonist propranolol both hypoglycemia and rise in plasma cortisol and GH were prolonged. Finally, the administration of dopaminergic blocker pimozide failed to affect the plasma cortisol response, but slightly suppressed the enhancement of GH release during hypoglycemia. Caution is recommended before making suggestions about neuroendocrine regulations from the data obtained after systemic administration of drugs. Nevertheless, it may be concluded that the hypothesis on the inhibitory role of the central alpha-adrenergic system on ACTH secretion suggested in rats and dogs was not confirmed by our results obtained in man.