ABSTRACT
In untreated subjects insulin induced hypoglycaemia was followed by a marked increase in urinary adrenaline excretion without any significant change in noradrenaline, thus confirming previous observations. This stimulating effect of hypoglycaemia on adrenaline production could be markedly inhibited by treatment with the antihypertensive agent Catapresan® (2-(2,6-dichlorphenylamine)-2-imidazoline hydrochloride). The basal urinary noradrenaline excretion was markedly suppressed under medication with Catapresan® and again there was no significant change in connection with hypoglycaemia.
Infusion studies demonstrated that Catapresan® did not influence the urinary recovery of adrenaline and noradrenaline. Thus, the diminished adrenaline excretion following Catapresan® represented a reduced secretion of the hormone. This inhibitory effect of Catapresan® might be due to an action of the compound on central nervous structures.