Effects of small intravenous doses of epinephrine on serum insulin, glucose tolerance and serum free fatty acids

Eighteen intravenous glucose tolerance tests (IVGTT) were carried out in 6 young, normal subjects while they were receiving normal saline or epinephrine (E) intravenously at the low rates of 0.1 and 0.3 μgm. per minute. The lower dose of E caused changes in the rate of urinary excretion of free E similar to those caused by caffeine; the higher dose caused changes similar to those reported to occur during various moderate to severe stress. The higher dose of E augmented the insulin response to IVGTT. Glucose tolerance was not significantly decreased, resulting in relatively low glucose insulin ratios following glucose injection. Serum free fatty acids were unaffected.