The inhibitory effect of sulphonylurea derivatives on liver glycogenosis increased by catecholamines

Hypoglycaemic sulphonylureas inhibit the increased glycogenosis and glucose release of the rat perfused liver produced by β-adrenergic agonists. The β-receptor antagonist propranolol exerted a similar effect. Dichloroisoprenaline increases the hypoglycaemic effect of chlorpropamide given in doses ineffective in the intact rat. Hypoglycaemic sulphonylureas have no effect on the catecholamine sensitivity of the nictitating membrane and heart auricle of the cat, indicating that their ability to inhibit glycogenosis induced by β-receptor agonists is not due to a β-receptor antagonist activity as is the action of propranolol.