The Effect of Glucose and Insulin on Pancreatic Blood Flow in the Anesthetized Pig

Abstract

Pancreatic blood flow (PBF) was studied under chloralose-urethane anesthesia in pigs. PBF was measured by hydrogen gas clearance. Intravenous infusion of 5 per cent glucose gave a marked increase in blood sugar levels (300–400 per cent) with a concomitant rise in PBF of up to 300 per cent of control values. Infusion of the same amounts of 5 per cent mannitol or 0.9 per cent NaCl showed little or no such effect. Injection of insulin (0.5–1.0 IU per kg body weight) was followed by a reduction in PBF, even when the blood sugar levels were sustained by continued infusion of glucose.

Key Words:

• Glucose
• insulin
• pancreas
• pancreatic blood flow