The effect of cholinergic blockade on the ACTH, beta-endorphin and cortisol responses to insulin-induced hypoglycaemia

Abstract

To assess the effect of cholinergic blockade on the ACTH, beta-endorphin and cortisol responses to insulin-induced hypoglycaemia, six healthy male volunteers each underwent two insulin tolerance tests in random order, separated by at least 1 week with and without atropine. ACTH levels were significantly greater at +45 min (mean +/- SEM, 223 +/- 21 pg/ml vs 148 +/- 15 pg/ml, P less than 0.01) and at +120 min (54 +/- 11 pg/ml vs 29 +/- 10 pg/ml, P less than 0.05). beta-endorphin levels were significantly greater at +30 min (170 +/- 45 pg/ml vs 96 +/- 32 pg/ml, P less than 0.05) and at +105 min (81 +/- 14 pg/ml vs 54 +/- 7 pg/ml, P less than 0.01). Cholinergic blockade had no effect on plasma glucose or cortisol concentrations. This study demonstrates that cholinergic blockade with atropine facilitates the ACTH and beta-endorphin responses to insulin-induced hypoglycaemia without altering the cortisol responses.