Activation of spinal α2 adrenergic receptors induces hyperglycemia in mouse though activating sympathetic outflow

Abstract The roles of α 2 -adrenergic receptors located in the spinal cord in the regulation of blood glucose levels were studied in imprinting control region (ICR) mice. Mice were treated intrathecally (i.t.) with clonidine or yohimbine, and the blood glucose levels were measured at 0, 30, 60 and 120 min after i.t. administration. The i.t. injection with clonidine caused a pronounced elevation of the blood glucose levels in a dose-dependent manner. Clonidine-induced hyperglycemic effect was dose-dependently attenuated by i.t. pretreatment with yohimbine. Furthermore, plasma insulin level was attenuated by clonidine, and yohimbine pretreatment reversed partially, but significantly, clonidine-induced down-regulation of the plasma insulin level. I.t. pretreatment with pertussis toxin (PTX) almost abolished the hyperglycemic effect induced by clonidine. PTX pretreatment reversed the induced down-regulation of the insulin level. In addition, i.t. pretreatment with N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-ethyl-2-bromobenzylamine (DSP-4) or intraperitoneal (i.p.) pretreatment with mifepristone, hexamethonium and 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) attenuated the hyperglycemic effect induced by clonidine. I.t. injected clonidine significantly increased plasma corticosterone level. The elevated blood glucose level induced by clonidine was significantly decreased in adrenalectomized (ADX) mice. Our results suggest that the α 2 -adrenergic receptors located in the spinal cord play important roles for the elevation of the blood glucose level. The hyperglycemic effect induced by clonidine appears to be mediated by a reduction of the plasma insulin level. In addition, glucocortioid system appears to be involved in clonidine-induced hyperglycemic effect. Furthermore, the clonidine-induced hyperglycemia appears to be mediated via activating the spinal nerves or peripheral sympathetic nervous system.