The effect of galanin on canine plasma glucose and gastroenteropancreatic hormone responses to oral nutrients and intravenous arginine.

Intravenous infusion of galanin into conscious dogs during ingestion of oral glucose or a mixed meal or during iv infusion of arginine resulted in significant blunting of plasma insulin responses and significant increases in plasma glucose levels compared to those in control experiments. Galanin infusions did not significantly alter plasma gastric inhibitory peptide responses to oral glucose or a mixed meal, or plasma gastrin, pancreatic polypeptide, or pancreatic glucagon responses to a mixed meal. Similarly, galanin infusions did not significantly alter pancreatic glucagon responses to iv arginine. In all experimental situations, on cessation of the galanin infusions, prompt elevation of plasma insulin levels occurred. These results suggest that in the conscious dog, galanin administration produces a relatively selective, but readily reversible, inhibition of insulin secretion stimulated by oral nutrients or iv arginine.