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Horm Metab Res 2002; 34(6): 341-347
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-33264
Original Clinical
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Intraperitoneal Administration of Choline Increases Serum Glucose in Rat: Involvement of the Sympathoadrenal System

Y.  O.  Ilcol 1 , M.  S.  Gurun 2 , Y.  Taga 3 , I.  H.  Ulus 2
  • 1Department of Biochemistry Marmara University Medical School, Istanbul, Turkey
  • 2Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Uludag University Medical School, Bursa
  • 3Department of Biochemistry Marmara University Medical School, Istanbul, Turkey
Further Information

Publication History

Received 3 January 2002

Accepted after Revision 20 February 2002

Publication Date:
12 August 2002 (online)

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Abstract

Intraperitoneal injection of choline (40, 80 or 120 mg/kg) produced a dose-dependent increase in serum glucose and choline levels in rats. The increases in serum glucose and choline were associated with an increase of serum insulin as well as plasma levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine. The increases in serum glucose and plasma catecholamine concentrations induced by choline (120 mg/kg) were blocked by pretreatment with the ganglionic nicotinic receptor antagonist hexamethonium (15 mg/kg), but were not affected by pretreatment with atropine (5 mg/kg). The choline-induced rise in serum insulin was blocked by pretreatment with atropine and with hexamethonium each. The increase in serum glucose evoked by choline (120 mg/kg) was blocked by α-adrenoceptor blockade and bilateral adrenalectomy each. Blockade of β-adrenoceptor by propranolol or chemical sympathectomy by 6-hydroxydopamine failed to alter the hyperglycemic response to choline. These results show that choline, a precursor of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, increases serum glucose and insulin levels. The effect of choline on serum insulin is mediated by both muscarinic and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, whereas the effect of choline on serum glucose is mediated solely by nicotinic receptors. The stimulation of adrenal medullary catecholamine release and subsequent activation of α-adrenoceptors apparently mediates the hyperglycemic effect of choline.

Key words

Precursor - Hyperglycemia - Insulin - Catecholamines - α-adrenoceptor - Adrenal Medulla - Sympathetic System

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Prof. Dr. I. H. Ulus

Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology · Uludag University Medical School

Bursa · Turkey ·

Phone: + 90 (224) 442 8190

Fax: + 90 (224) 442 8189

Email: ihulus@uludag.edu.tr