Effect of ethanol on basal and arginine-stimulated plasma levels of glucose, insulin and glucagon in fasted unanesthetized rabbits
Potter, D.E.; Morris, J.W.
Archives Internationales de Pharmacodynamie et de Therapie 246(2): 180-186
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-9780 PMID: 7002081 Document Number: 166604
Plasma glucose, insulin (IRI) and glucagon (IRG) levels were determined in fasting unanesthetized rabbits following pretreatment of either saline or ethanol (1.5 g/kg p.o.) and i.v. infusion of either saline or arginine (10 mg/kg/min for 30 min). Ethanol lowered plasma glucose and IRI levels but raised IRG levels in rabbits infused with saline. Arginine-induced hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia were markedly suppressed by ethanol so that any further increase expected by the infusion of arginine was minimized. Thus, ethanol not only alters basal levels of IRI, IRG and glucose but also suppresses arginine-stimulated levels as well.