HYPOTHALAMIC CHOLINERGIC AND NORADRENERGIC NEURONS IN HYPERGLYCEMIA-INDUCED BY 2-DEOXYGLUCOSE

To investigate the contribution of the hypothalamic cholinergic and no radrenergic neurons in 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) induced hyperglycemia, we after microwave irradiation analyzed the contents of the neurotransmi tters and the metabolites in the microdissected hypothalamic nucleus, ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMH), paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and lateral hypothalamus (LH). A dose dependent decrease in the acety lcholine (ACh) content and a corresponding increase in the choline con tent was observed in those hypothalamic nuclei 20 min after intravenou s administration of 250 or 500 mg/kg 2-DG. The norepinephrine content decreased in 500 mg/kg 2-DG group but did not change significantly in the 250 mg/kg group. These results suggest the involvement and importa nce of the hypothalamic cholinergic system in 2-DG induced hyperglycem ia and, furthermore, that the hyperglycemic response can not be solely attributed to the noradrenergic system.