Abstract
The effects of nifedipine and nicardipine on glucagon-stimulated gluconeogenesis from lactate were examined in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes. Nifedipine and nicardipine (10-7 - 10-5 M) significantly potentiated the glucagon-stimulated gluconeogenesis from lactate by increasing intracellular cAMP levels. In contrast, diltiazem and verapamil did not potentiate the glucagon-stimulated gluconeogenesis. 1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine and papaverine also potentiated the glucagon-stimulated gluconeogenesis from lactate. On the basis of these results, possible mechanisms by which nifedipine and nicardipine potentiate the glucagon-stimulated gluconeogenesis will be discussed.
