Regulation of blood glucose involves the integration of the central nervous system with both hormonal and neural mechanisms. Considerable evidence suggests that β-endorphin is involved in the regulation of feeding in experimental animals and man. Previous studies have shown that β-endorphin plays an important role during hypergiycaemia. Glipizide has been shown to increase glucose metabolism by both pancreatic and extrapancreatic actions. This study indicates that glipizide may exert its pharmacological action in obese cafeteria rats through a modification of β-endorphin secretions via central and peripheral mechanisms.
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