Effect of Alpha-2 Adrenergic Agonist on Beta Adrenoceptor-Nediated Control of Blood Glucose in the Fasted Mouse

Dose-dependent increasesin blood glucose were produced by epinephrine and clonidine in fasted male mice. Isoproterenol was ineffective in increasing blood glucose at lower doses ($10^{-8}M$/kg-$10^{-7}M$/kg); with higher dose ($10^{-6}M$/kg) the glucose level was increased. The hyperglycemia induced by epinephrine was inhibited by yobimbine, prazosin and propranolol, indicating that the hyperglycemic effect of epinephrine is mediated by alpha-1, alpha-2 and beta adrenoceptor. When clonidine (10$^{-6}$ M/kg) was administered simultaneously with sioproterenol ($10^{-6}M$/kg), an enhenced hyperglycemic effect was observed. The increment produced by clonidine plus isoproterenol was higher than that by clonidine alone. These increment produced by clonidine plus isoproterenol was higher than that by clonidine alone. These results suggest that stimulation of alpha-2 adrenoceptor may be reponsible for the exertion of the hyperglycemic effect by beta agonists in fasted mice.