Islet function and stress hyperglycemia: plasma glucose and epinephrine interaction.

Catecholamines and a number of other hormones released during stress states contribute to the development of hyperglycemia by directly stimulating glucose production and interfering with tissue disposal of glucose. However, hyperglycemia stimulates the secretion of insulin and inhibits the secretion of glucagon, effects that will diminish the degree of hyperglycemia resulting from direct actions of stress hormones on glucose production and disposal. The key additional role of catecholamines in the development of stress hyperglycemia is interference with the normal feedback control of insulin and glucagon secretion by circulating glucose levels. Although pancreatic islet responses to hyperglycemia may be modulated by catecholamines, any increase of insulin secretion or suppression of glucagon secretion that does occur may be important for limiting the degree of elevation of circulating glucose that results. Thus, plasma insulin and glucagon levels during stress states will reflect the interaction between the opposing effects of hyperglycemia and catecholamines. Diabetic patients who have impaired islet responses to glucose will be particularly prone to the development of marked hyperglycemia during stress states because they may be unable to respond to the influence of hyperglycemia in counteracting adrenergic inhibition of insulin secretion and stimulation of glucagon secretion.