tropisetron and Hypoglycemia

Effects of tryptamine on tolbutamide-induced hypoglycemia were investigated in mice. Tryptamine significantly inhibited hypoglycemia elicited by tolbutamide. The inhibitory effects of tryptamine were strongly blocked by the 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptor antagonist methysergide and the 5-HT2 receptor antagonist ketanserin, while the 5-HT3 receptor antagonist ICS 205-930 was without effect. Tryptamine induced hyperglucagonemia in tolbutamide-treated mice, and this effect elicited by tryptamine was strongly inhibited by the 5-HT2 receptor antagonist ketanserin. These results suggest that the inhibitory effects of tryptamine on tolbutamide-induced hypoglycemia are mediated by 5-HT2 receptors and that tryptamine is involved in glucagon release.

Topics: Animals; Blood Glucose; Hypoglycemia; Indoles; Ketanserin; Male; Methysergide; Mice; Mice, Inbred Strains; Receptors, Serotonin; Serotonin Antagonists; Time Factors; Tolbutamide; Tropisetron; Tryptamines

The effects of serotonin (5-HT) on plasma glucose levels were studied. 5-HT above 20 mg/kg induced apparent hypoglycemia in mice. The hypoglycemic effects of 5-HT were strongly antagonized by methysergide but only partially inhibited by ketanserin. However, ICS 205-930 was without effect. This indicates that the hypoglycemia induced by 5-HT is mediated by both the 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptors. 5-HT also produced an increase in serum immunoreactive insulin (IRI) which was completely inhibited by methysergide and partially antagonized by ketanserin. It is suggested that the 5-HT-induced increase in IRI is elicited by the activation of the 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptors, which is similar to the results obtained with plasma glucose. These results indicate that the 5-HT receptors may regulate blood glucose levels by modifying the release of insulin.

Topics: Animals; Blood Glucose; Hypoglycemia; Indoles; Insulin; Ketanserin; Male; Methysergide; Mice; Receptors, Serotonin; Serotonin; Serotonin Antagonists; Tropisetron