THE SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS-SYSTEM AND PERIPHERAL INSULIN SENSITIVITY

The sympathoadrenal system exerts important effects on glucose metabol ism and insulin sensitivity. Physiological increments in epinephrine c oncentration cause a marked reduction in glucose disposal both at whol e-body level and skeletal muscle. The metabolic effects of norepinephr ine have been more difficult to explore because of its neurotransmitte r nature. However, when sympathetic activation is induced by means of a physiological manoeuvre (ie lower body negative pressure), glucose u ptake by the skeletal muscle is markedly impaired. The ability of cate cholamines to reduce insulin sensitivity may have important implicatio ns as to the pathogenesis of the association between insulin resistanc e and essential hypertension. (C) 1997, Medikal Press.