Effect of the blood glucose level on the metabolic response of intravenous salbutamol

The effect of an intravenous salbutamol dose (2 micrograms/kg or 8 micrograms/kg) on serum insulin and blood glucose was studied in 8 healthy volunteers after different glucose loads. Administration of glucose significantly increased circulating blood glucose and serum insulin concentrations before the salbutamol injection. The acute insulin releasing capacity of 2 micrograms/kg salbutamol was intensified and its blood glucose elevating effect was diminished by preceding glucose loading. Elevation of salbutamol dose from 2 to 8 micrograms/kg caused a 3.4 fold elevation of insulin secretion and an even more pronounced increase in blood glucose response.