Abstract
Summary
Injection of glucagon and insulin in rats stimulates the adrenal medullary enzyme, phenylethanolamine-N-methyl transferase (PNMT), with evidence of this being apparent within 2 hours. The highest level of stimulation results when glucagon (1 mg) and insulin (6 units) are injected simultaneously. In hypophysectomized rats, there is a marked decrease in the enzyme activity. ACTH only partially corrects this, but insulin and ACTH increase the enzyme activity to normal levels. It is suggested that, in the intact rats, insulin and glucagon may exert a stimulatory effect on PNMT activity independent of hypoglycemia or increased glucocorticoid production.
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