Abstract
Summary
The effect of infusing for 10 min either epinephrine or glucagon on oxygen consumption, plasma FFA, blood sugar, and blood lactate was studied in fasting anesthetized dogs. Calorigenic effect is expressed as excess oxygen consumption (ml/ kg) above the mean preinfusion level for the hour following the beginning of the infusion. Infusion of epinephrine (30 μg/kg in 10 min) caused mean calorigenic effect of 45 ml O2/kg (SE ± 5, P < 0.05). Glucagon at doses of 10, 30, and 110 μg/kg in 10 min produced calorigenic effects (means ± SE) of 49 ± 6, 66 ± 7, and 78 ± 15 ml/kg, respectively, which were significant (P < 0.05).
The calorigenic effect of infusing 10 μg/ kg of glucagon compares with that obtained by infusing 30 μg/kg of epinephrine. Taking into account the molecular weight of the two hormones, the calorigenic effect per nmole of glucagon infused is 63 times greater than that produced by 1 nmole of epinephrine.
It is suggested that the calorigenic effect, and the decrease of plasma FFA produced by glucagon in the dog, are mainly due to stimulation by this hormone of the oxidation of fatty acids by the liver.
The technical help of Mrs. D. E. Raphael and Mr. W. F. Prigge is gratefully acknowledged.
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