Comparative Expiratory and Oxidative Effects of Glucagon and Epinephrine in Mice

Abstract

Summary

In confirmation of other studies, SC injection of glucagon increased exhaled CO₂ (apparent metabolic rate) of rats. Contrary to expectation, SC and IP injection of glucagon did not increase exhaled CO₂ of mice. Glucagon did, however, produce expected loss of liver glycogen and hyperglycemia in mice. Subcutaneous injection of epinephrine increased exhaled CO₂ of both rats and mice.

Glucagon appeared to increase oxidation rate of C¹⁴-glycerol and decrease oxidation of C¹⁴-palmitic acid; opposite effects were obtained with epinephrine. The “glucagon effect”on C¹⁴-glycerol oxidation was brief and dependent on initial utilization of C¹⁴-glycerol, as fasting mice with greater oxidation rates did not respond. This oxidative stimulation was not dependent on hyperglycemia per se, adrenal hormones or insulin.