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
