Cited by 99Diabetes Management and ResearchPancreatic function and diabetesNeuroscience of respiration and sleep

Adrenaline: insights into its metabolic roles in hypoglycaemia and diabetes

Open access
Verberne, A J M, Korim, W S, Sabetghadam, A, Llewellyn‐Smith, I J·2016·British Journal of Pharmacology

Abstract

Adrenaline is a hormone that has profound actions on the cardiovascular system and is also a mediator of the fight‐or‐flight response. Adrenaline is now increasingly recognized as an important metabolic hormone that helps mobilize energy stores in the form of glucose and free fatty acids in preparation for physical activity or for recovery from hypoglycaemia. Recovery from hypoglycaemia is termed counter‐regulation and involves the suppression of endogenous insulin secretion, activation of glucagon secretion from pancreatic α‐cells and activation of adrenaline secretion. Secretion of adrenaline is controlled by presympathetic neurons in the rostroventrolateral medulla, which are, in turn, under the control of central and/or peripheral glucose‐sensing neurons. Adrenaline is particularly important for counter‐regulation in individuals with type 1 (insulin‐dependent) diabetes because these patients do not produce endogenous insulin and also lose their ability to secrete glucagon soon after diagnosis. Type 1 diabetic patients are therefore critically dependent on adrenaline for restoration of normoglycaemia and attenuation or loss of this response in the hypoglycaemia unawareness condition can have serious, sometimes fatal, consequences. Understanding the neural control of hypoglycaemia‐induced adrenaline secretion is likely to identify new therapeutic targets for treating this potentially life‐threatening condition.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1111/bph.13458

Cites

141 of 141 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 66 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingcitation

    Insulin-induced activation of ASNA is markedly reduced by excitatory amino acid receptor blockade in the RVLM.

    “In addition, insulin-induced activation of ASNA is markedly reduced by excitatory amino acid receptor blockade in the RVLM (Sabetghadam, Korim and Verberne, unpublished observations).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Sabetghadam, Korim and Verberne, unpublished observations

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  • Findingown data

    A choline acetyltransferase-immunoreactive sympathetic preganglionic neuron from a rat that had received 2-DG (400 mg/kg i.p.) has a Fos-immunoreactive nucleus and receives close appositions from PNMT-immunoreactive axons.

    “This choline acetyltransferase-immunoreactive (grey cytoplasmic staining) SPN from a rat that had received 2-DG (400 mg/kg.i.p.) has a black Fos-immunoreactive nucleus (star), and receives close appositions from varicosities of black, PNMT-immunoreactive axons (arrows).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Premisecitation

    Recovery from hypoglycaemia (counter-regulation) involves suppression of endogenous insulin secretion.

    “Recovery from hypoglycaemia is termed counter-regulation and involves suppression of endogenous insulin secretion, activation of glucagon secretion from pancreatic α-cells and activation of adrenaline secretion.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Bolli et al., 1999

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  • Premisecitation

    Adrenaline helps mobilise energy stores in the form of glucose and free fatty acids in preparation for physical activity or for recovery from hypoglycaemia.

    “Adrenaline is now increasingly recognised as an important metabolic hormone that helps mobilise energy stores in the form of glucose and free fatty acids in preparation for physical activity or for recovery from hypoglycaemia.”
    • Also stated in: § Introduction · plain
      “In this review we examine the importance of adrenaline as a metabolic hormone that mobilises energy stores in the form of glucose and free fatty acids during the counter-regulatory response to hypoglycaemia (Cryer, 1981).”
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    • cites Cryer, 1981

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  • Premisecitation

    Orexin neurons in the PeH are activated in response to declining brain glucose concentration.

    “Orexin neurons in the PeH are activated in response to declining brain glucose concentration (Korim et al., 2016).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Korim et al., 2016

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  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 4
  • May combine two claims. 17
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisenone given

    Adrenaline is a mediator of the fight-or-flight response.

    “Adrenaline is a hormone that has profound actions on the cardiovascular system and is also a mediator of the fight-or-flight response.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Hilton, 1982

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    • cites Smith et al., 2000

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisenone given

    Adrenaline has profound actions on the cardiovascular system.

    “Adrenaline is a hormone that has profound actions on the cardiovascular system and is also a mediator of the fight-or-flight response.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Goldstein, 1999

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    • cites Westfall et al., 2011

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  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    Presympathetic neurons that control adrenaline secretion are likely to receive input from central and/or peripheral glucose-sensing neurons but not from baroreceptors.

    “In contrast, presympathetic neurons that control adrenaline secretion are likely to receive input from central and/or peripheral glucose-sensing neurons but not from baroreceptors (Korim et al., 2014;Verberne et al., 2010).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Korim et al., 2014

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    • cites Verberne et al., 2010

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  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Repeated bouts of hypoglycaemia can lead to reduced adrenaline secretion and hypoglycaemia unawareness, in which the symptoms of hypoglycaemia are no longer perceived, creating a vicious cycle of defective glucose homeostasis.

    “Repeated bouts of hypoglycaemia can also lead to reduced adrenaline secretion and 'hypoglycaemia unawareness', in which the symptoms of hypoglycaemia are no longer perceived, creating a vicious cycle of defective glucose homeostasis (Cryer, 2005).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Cryer, 2005

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  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductcitation

    Hyperinsulinaemia associated with insulin-induced hypoglycaemia can be a confounding factor but can be controlled for experimentally by comparing the effects of hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia with hyperinsulinaemic normoglycaemia in which the plasma glucose concentration is held constant by simultaneous glucose infusion (a glucose clamp).

    “Hyperinsulinaemia associated with insulin-induced hypoglycaemia can be a confounding factor but can be controlled for experimentally by comparing the effects of hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia with hyperinsulinaemic normoglycaemia in which the plasma glucose concentration is held constant by simultaneous glucose infusion (a”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Ao et al., 2005

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    • cites Bardgett et al., 2010

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    Premisecitation

    Replacement of glucose by non-metabolizable 2-DG is perceived as a reduction in brain glucose concentration and results in elevation of plasma levels of glucagon and adrenaline, resulting in hyperglycaemia.

    “The replacement of glucose by non-metabolizable 2-DG is perceived as a reduction in the brain glucose concentration and results in elevation of plasma levels of glucagon and adrenaline, resulting in hyperglycaemia (Sanders et al., 2000).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Sanders et al., 2000

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  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Adrenaline increases plasma glucose by promoting glycogenolysis in liver and skeletal muscle, liver gluconeogenesis and reduction of glucose uptake by tissues such as skeletal muscle via activation of α1- and β2-adrenoceptors.

    “Thus, an additional and important action of adrenaline is to increase plasma glucose by promoting glycogenolysis in the liver and skeletal muscle, liver gluconeogenesis and reduction of glucose uptake by tissues such as skeletal muscle via activation of α 1 -and β 2 -adrenoceptors (Moratinos et al., 1986).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Moratinos et al., 1986

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  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Adrenaline adrenal SPNs are insensitive to baroreflex activation and receive input from slow-conducting RVLM neurons.

    “Furthermore, they are insensitive to baroreflex activation and instead receive input from slow-conducting RVLM neurons.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Morrison et al., 2000

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  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Hypoglycaemia selectively increases adrenaline release whereas cold exposure selectively increases noradrenaline release.

    “Thus, hypoglycaemia selectively increases adrenaline release whereas cold exposure selectively increases noradrenaline release (Vollmer et al., 1992).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Vollmer et al., 1992

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  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Hypoxia activates adrenaline secretion while baroreceptor unloading activates mainly noradrenaline secretion from the adrenal medulla.

    “In summary, hypoxia activates adrenaline secretion while baroreceptor unloading activates mainly noradrenaline secretion from the adrenal medulla.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Adrenaline acts by suppressing endogenous insulin secretion, stimulating hepatic glucose production, stimulating lipolysis, and reducing glucose utilisation.

    “Glucagon acts exclusively by stimulating glucose production in the liver whereas adrenaline acts by suppressing endogenous insulin secretion, stimulation of hepatic glucose production, stimulation of lipolysis (β 3 -adrenoceptor-mediated activation of lipase in adipose tissue) and reduction of glucose utilisation (Bolli et al., 1999).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Bolli et al., 1999

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Adrenaline is used as an emergency treatment for acute ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrest, acute anaphylactic shock and angio-oedema and as an emergency treatment of acute airways obstruction in asthma.

    “Adrenaline is used as an emergency treatment for acute ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrest, acute anaphylactic shock and angio-oedema and as an emergency treatment of acute airways obstruction in asthma ('Epi-Pen') (Rang et al., 2012).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Rang et al., 2012

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  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Infusion of adrenaline into normotensive subjects resulted in increased plasma renin, glucose and free fatty acids but had only minimal effects on the cardiovascular system.

    “Infusion of adrenaline into normotensive subjects resulted in increased plasma renin, glucose and free fatty acids but had only minimal effects on the cardiovascular system (Fitzgerald et al., 1980).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Fitzgerald et al., 1980

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  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    Inhibitors of PNMT that do not cross the blood-brain barrier do not reduce arterial blood pressure, suggesting that peripheral adrenaline does not contribute significantly to resting arterial blood pressure.

    “Inhibitors of PNMT (Fig. 1) that do not cross the bloodbrain-barrier do not reduce arterial blood pressure, suggesting that peripheral adrenaline does not contribute significantly to resting arterial blood pressure (Black et al., 1981).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Black et al., 1981

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  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Disinhibition of CVLM neurons results in marked elevation of arterial pressure, sympathetic nerve activity and plasma noradrenaline but not adrenaline.

    “Disinhibition of the CVLM neurons results in marked elevation of arterial pressure, sympathetic nerve activity and plasma noradrenaline but not adrenaline (Natarajan et al., 1999)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Natarajan et al., 1999

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  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    In tetraplegic patients with complete spinal transection between C4 and C8, plasma adrenaline and noradrenaline do not rise in response to insulin-induced hypoglycaemia, and they do not exhibit the sympathetic symptoms of hypoglycaemia.

    “In addition, their plasma levels of adrenaline and noradrenaline do not rise in response to insulin-induced hypoglycaemia nor do they exhibit the sympathetic symptoms of hypoglycaemia.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Mathias et al., 1979

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Hypoglycaemia is feared by patients with Type 1 diabetes because of its serious and potentially life-threatening consequences.

    “Hypoglycaemia is feared by patients with Type 1 diabetes because of its serious and potentially life-threatening consequences (Böhme et al., 2013).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Böhme et al., 2013

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  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    During moderate exercise, plasma levels of adrenaline rise but there is no significant increase in secretion of adrenaline from the adrenal medulla.

    “During moderate exercise, plasma levels of adrenaline rise but there is no significant increase in secretion of adrenaline from the adrenal medulla (Warren et al., 1984).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Warren et al., 1984

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  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    Endogenous adrenaline is primarily a metabolic hormone, of critical importance in the glucose counter-regulatory response evoked by hypoglycaemia.

    “However, recent evidence summarized here suggests that endogenous adrenaline is, in fact, primarily a metabolic hormone (Cryer, 1993), which is of critical importance in the glucose counter-regulatory response evoked by hypoglycaemia.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Cryer, 1993

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  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Adrenaline is not of major significance in maintaining cardiovascular homeostasis and is not a major factor in the development of essential hypertension.

    “Overall, these observations support the view that adrenaline is not of major significance in maintaining cardiovascular homeostasis and is not a major factor in the development of essential hypertension.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
20 of 20
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Type 1 diabetic patients do not produce endogenous insulin.

    “since these patients do not produce endogenous insulin”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Attenuation or loss of the adrenaline response in hypoglycaemia unawareness can have serious, sometimes fatal, consequences.

    “attenuation or loss of this response in hypoglycaemia unawareness can have serious, sometimes fatal, consequences.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Depriving the brain of glucose activates the glucose counterregulatory response to restore normal levels of blood glucose.

    “Depriving the brain of glucose (neuroglucoprivation) activates the glucose counterregulatory response to restore normal levels of blood glucose (normoglycaemia).”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    2-DG competes with normal glucose for utilization by brain neurons.

    “As described above, 2-DG competes with normal glucose for utilization by brain neurons.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Insulin-induced hypoglycaemia results in elevated plasma levels of glucagon and adrenaline but glucose levels remain low due to the presence of insulin.

    “In contrast, insulin-induced hypoglycaemia results in elevated plasma levels of glucagon and adrenaline but glucose levels remain low due to the presence of insulin.”
5 of 5

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 4

  1. Abel JJ, 1898, On epinephrin, the active constituent of the suprarenal capsule and its compounds, Proc Am Physiol Soc, 3, iii
  2. Goldstein DS, 1999, Handbook of Clinical Neurology, 135
  3. Merck I, 1968, The Merck Index
  4. Parker TL, 1990, The innervation of the adrenal gland. IV. The source of pre‐ and postganglionic nerve fibres to the guinea‐pig adrenal gland, J Anat, 172, 17

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Verberne, A. J. M., Korim, W. S., Sabetghadam, A., & Llewellyn‐Smith, I. J.
Affiliations
  • The University of Melbourne (AU)
  • Flinders University (AU)
Corresponding author
Verberne, A J M
Venue
British Journal of Pharmacology
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2016-03-08
Volume
173
Issue
9
Pages
1425-1437
ISSN
  • 0007-1188 (ISSN-L)
  • 1476-5381
OpenAlex
W2281939227
Cited by
99
References
141
Citations by year
2026: 9 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 2
FWCI
1.08
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • British Journal of Pharmacology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Adelaide Research & Scholarship (AR&S) (University of Adelaide) (submittedVersion)
  • Minerva Access (University of Melbourne) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Austin Medical Research Foundation
  • Medical Research Council
  • National Health and Medical Research Council
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Diabetes Management and Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Pancreatic function and diabetes
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Neuroscience of respiration and sleep
Keywords
epinephrine, hypoglycemia, counterregulation, type 1 diabetes, hypoglycemia unawareness, glucagon secretion, insulin secretion, glucose detection, rostral ventrolateral medulla, presympathetic neurons, fight-or-flight response, energy mobilization, glucose metabolism
MeSH terms
Animals, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1, Epinephrine, Humans, Hypoglycemia

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