Glucoregulatory hormones in the immobilization stress-induced increase of plasma glucose in fasted and fed rats.

We investigated 1) the effect of immobilization stress on glucose metabolism in rats after sham operation (SHAM), adrenomedullectomy (ADMX), and adrenalectomy (ADX); and 2) the effect of glucoregulatory hormone infusion on plasma glucose using untreated normal fasted and fed rats under unanesthetized conditions. In immobilization stress, the plasma glucose concentration increased only in the SHAM group during fasting, while under fed conditions, all three groups showed significant increases (SHAM > ADMX > ADX). Plasma glucagon and norepinephrine significantly increased in all groups; plasma epinephrine increased only in the SHAM group, and plasma corticosterone increased in SHAM and ADMX groups under both conditions. The hepatic glycogen content in all fed groups significantly decreased after immobilization stress, while a very low content before stress and an undetectable level after stress were observed in all fasted groups. Only epinephrine infusion increased plasma glucose during fasting, while epinephrine and glucagon infusion increased it under fed conditions. Corticosterone infusion did not change it under either condition. These results suggest that in the fasted condition, only epinephrine plays an essential role, while under fed conditions, glucagon and corticosterone as well as epinephrine also act as synergistic factors in stress-induced hyperglycemia.