Stress induced by central cholinergic stimulation alters regional distribution of glucose uptake.

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of carbachol enhances whole body glucose utilization and, if so, how this cholinergic agonist influences in vivo regional glucose uptake. An ICV cannula and vascular catheters were placed in rats prior to the experiment. Whole body glucose flux was assessed in overnight-fasted conscious unrestrained rats using [3-3H]glucose. Hyperglycemia was elicited 30 min after carbachol (50 nmol), and resulted from an increased rate of hepatic glucose production (135%) that exceeded an elevated rate of peripheral glucose uptake (105%). The glucose metabolic clearance rate was not altered by carbachol. Despite the hyperglycemia, no compensatory increase in plasma insulin levels were observed. Carbachol, however, did increase glucagon (64-164%), catecholamines (3.5- to 15-fold), and corticosterone (62-160%). Complete alpha- and beta-adrenergic blockade prevented the carbachol-induced changes in glucose flux. In vivo glucose uptake (Rg) by individual tissues was determined at the peak of the carbachol-induced hyperglycemia, using [2-14C]deoxyglucose. In addition, a separate group of control rats received an intravenous hormone infusion that increased plasma glucose, glucagon, and catecholamine levels to the same extent seen in carbachol-treated rats. The Rg in liver, spleen, and lung was elevated to a similar extent in carbachol-treated (60, 47, and 48%, respectively) and hormone-infused (60, 53, and 70%, respectively) rats. In contrast, whereas the hormone infusion increased Rg by ileum, skin, and kidney (80, 67, and 110%, respectively), no change was observed in these tissues from rats injected with carbachol.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)