Effect of xylazine on plasma glucose, glucagon and insulin concentrations in sheep.

Xylazine is known to cause hyperglycaemia by increasing hepatic glucose production. The mechanism is not understood but appears to involve, in part, an inhibition of insulin secretion. In this study the insulin and glucagon responses to an intravenous dose of xylazine at 0.16 mg/kg body-weight were examined. Insulin concentrations were depressed for 30 minutes after xylazine. Glucagon concentrations were increased significantly (P less than 0.05) for 15 minutes after xylazine. Thus, glucagon may be important in mediating the hyperglycaemia associated with administration of xylazine.