A Note on the Action of Acetylcholine on the Blood Sugar in Dogs

Abstract

Acetylcholine hydrochloride in a subcutaneous dose of 15mg. per kilo body weight always elicits in dogs an increase in the blood sugar concentration, and its degree is not affected by double cutting of the splanchnic nerves.
3mg. per kilo, given intravenously, also always acts to cause hyperglycaemia, and its intensity depends upon the velocity with which it is injected. An amount of 0.5mg. per kilo, intravenously given in 30 seconds, acts to effect a decrease in the blood sugar content.
If generalized: acetylcholine hyperglycaemia does not depend upon the integrity of the splanchnic nerves.
Intensity of acetylcholine hyperglycaemia depends upon the ve-locity with which the chemical is introduced into the general circula-tion, and if its amount is too small, hypoglycaemia becomes manifest instead of hyperglycaemia.