Evidence is accumulating that adrenal steroids may be involved in the metabolic effects of cytokines. We evaluated the possible involvement of glucocorticoids in the inhibition of pancreatic insulin secretion by interleukin-1β (IL-1β), one of the cytokines produced by inflammatory cells. In the first group of experiments, adrenalectomized rats showed a significant reduction in basal and glucose (0·5 g/kg, i.v.)-stimulated immunoreactive insulin (IRI) levels after injection of IL-1β (1·0 μg/kg), but intact rats did not. Pretreatment with IL-1β increased plasma glucose levels 2 and 15 min after an i.v. bolus of glucose in adrenalectomized rats. In the second group of experiments, dexamethasone supplement (0·1 mg/kg) given to adrenalectomized rats cancelled the reduction in plasma glucose levels by IL-1β, and rats treated with 1·0 mg dexamethasone/kg showed a significant increase in basal IRI levels and enhanced serum IRI levels after IL-1β injection. However, 1·0 mg deoxycorticosterone/kg given daily for 7 days failed to cancel the effect of IL-1β on the reduction of serum IRI levels, although it attenuated the weight loss after adrenalectomy. The data suggested that withdrawal of glucocorticoids after adrenalectomy potentiates the effect of IL-1β on the reduction of serum IRI levels. Glucocorticoids may have a protective action against the reduction of serum IRI levels by IL-1β.
Journal of Endocrinology (1992) 132, 419–423
Journal of Endocrinology is committed to supporting researchers in demonstrating the impact of their articles published in the journal.
The two types of article metrics we measure are (i) more traditional full-text views and pdf downloads, and (ii) Altmetric data, which shows the wider impact of articles in a range of non-traditional sources, such as social media.
More information is on the Reasons to publish page.
| Sept 2018 onwards | Past Year | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Text Views | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| PDF Downloads | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Online ISSN: 1479-6805
Print ISSN: 0022-0795
Strengthening biomedical communities
to advance science and health
CONTACT US
Bioscientifica Ltd | Starling House | 1600 Bristol Parkway North | Bristol BS34 8YU | UK
Bioscientifica Ltd | Registered in England no 3190519
