Abstract
Summary
The response of the subcutaneous small arteries (35-45 μ) and veins (70-100 μ) to glucagon, with and without barbiturate anesthesia, was quantitated by direct observations in the bat wing. No statistically significant venular response was observed in either the awake or anesthetized bat. An apparent, but not significant, increase in arterial diameter to 108 ± 10% (p > .05) of control values was observed 10 min after intraperitoneal injection of glucagon (130 mg/kg) without barbiturate anesthesia. With thiopental (20 mg/kg) pretreatment, the small arteries significantly dilated to 100 ± 2.5% (p < .02) at 10 min after glucagon with a return to control values within 30 min. No changes in arterial diameters were observed with glucagon after pretreatment with a higher dose (50 mg/kg) of either pentobarbital or thiopental. It is concluded that glucagon could produce significant reductions in peripheral resistance if other organ systems respond in a manner which is similar to subcutaneous tissue.
The authors are indebted to David Andersen, John Doyle, Cary Hammond, and Lowry Pei for their excellent technical assistance.
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