ADRENALINE EXCRETION DURING RESTING CONDITIONS AND AFTER INSULIN IN ADRENALECTOMIZED HUMAN SUBJECTS

ABSTRACT The effect of insulin on the urinary excretion of adrenaline was studied in 10 bilaterally adrenalectomized patients receiving cortisone and in eight healthy volunteers. The resting excretion of adrenaline was the same in both groups. Insulin administration to the adrenalectomized patients led to an increase in adrenaline excretion from the control level (mean ± S. E.) of 2.42 ± 0.33 to 5.01 ± 0.98 ng per min (P < 0.02) during the second hour, and 6.61 ± 0.82 ng per min (P < 0.001) during the third hour. In the normal subjects the maximum adrenaline excretion (21.7 ± 3.49 ng per min) was observed during the first hour. The response of the blood glucose level to insulin was the same in both groups. It is concluded that extra-adrenal chromaffin cells produce adrenaline and respond to insulin. It is suggested that hypoglycaemia may not be the principal cause of this response.