Hypoglycemic activity of amine derivatives. A possible mode of action.

Experiments were carried out to explain the hypoglycemic effect of dicyclohexylamine (DCH) and related compounds. The agents antagonized blood glucose increase in intact and hepatectomized rats infused with glucose, but not in intact rats receiving epinephrine, and induced liver glycogen rise in normal fasted but not in adrenalectomized rats. No effect on blood glucose of pancreatectomized dogs was found. DCH lowered blood triglycerides without influencing the concentration of plasma fatty acids. Intestinal absorption of glucose was not influenced by low concentrations of the amines. Hypoglycemia may result, at least in part, from stimulated glucose transformation in the muscle tissue without an enhancement of anaerobic glycolysis.