ADRENAL CORTICAL RESPONSE TO INSULIN-INDUCED HYPOGLYCAEMIA IN THE RAT

The part played by adrenaline and noradrenaline in the adrenal cortical response to insulin-induced hypoglycaemia was investigated. Both exogenously administered adrenaline and noradrenaline produced an increase in plasma corticosterone. This response was suppressed by pretreatment with the adrenergic blocking agent, Dibenzyline. The increase in plasma corticosterone produced by Protamine Zinc Insulin-induced hypoglycaemia was unchanged by previous adrenal demedullation or pretreatment with Dibenzyline. Thus neither medullary nor extra medullary adrenaline and/or noradrenaline play an essential mediating role in the adrenal cortical response to insulin-induced hypoglycaemia.