Effect of Hexamethonium on the Augmented Adrenaline Secretion of the Adrenal Gland Causable by Insulin Hypoglycemia

Abstract

In dogs anesthetized with evipan-sodium, the adrenal venous blood specimens were collected through the lumbar route preparation. The adrenaline content of the specimens was measured colorimetrically by means of the Bloor & Bullen's arseno-molybdic acid method. The blood sugar content was also determined simultaneously.
Insulin was applied intravenously in a dose of 7 units per kg. of body weight. The adrenaline secretion rate was increased gradually, and from 1 to 2 hours after insulin a definite increase was invariably observed. At the height of augmentation of adrenaline secretion, hexamethonium was injected intravenously in a dose of 0.75mg. per kg. In all cases the secretion rates were cut down to low levels by hexamethonium. It was mea-sured in 3 cases as 0.02-0.04 μg. per kg. per minute after hexametho-nium against 0.13-0.30 μg. before hexamethonium. In one case, it was 0.01 μg. against 0.07 μg.
Thus it is concluded that hexamethonium acts to inhibit the accelerating adrenaline secretion causable by insulin hypoglycemia.
It is my pleasure to acknowledge the encouragement and advice I have received from Prof. T. Suzuki. I am also grateful to Dr. I. Tanaka for his help given in each of my experiments.