Yohimbine Increases Plasma Insulin Concentrations of Dogs

Abstract

Abstract

Recent evidence suggests that catecholamines inhibit insulin release by stimulating α²-adrenoreceptors in βcells of the pancreatic islets. In the present study, iv injections of 0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg of yohimbine, an α²-adrenoreceptor antagonist, resulted in increased plasma insulin and decreased plasma glucose concentrations in the dog. The use of α²-adrenoreceptors antagonists may be of value in non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients by counteracting the inhibitory influence of endogenous catecholamines.