The Relationship Between Epinephrine Levels and Rebound Hypoglycemia

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Date

2008

Disciplines

Biology | Life Sciences

Advisor

Barbara May, Biology

Abstract

The purpose of this experiment was to study the relationship between epinephrine levels and the hypoglycemic rebound effect. Epinephrine is the principal signaling hormone to signal the release of glucagon at the onset of hypoglycemic. A danger with Type 1 Diabetes is hypoglycemia unawareness; this is when a diabetic experiences hypoglycemia, without the hormonal response of epinephrine to express physical symptoms. Hypoglycemia unawareness is more common in rebound hypoglycemia, since the body takes too long to realize that it's low on glucose. Mice were injected with Streptozotocin to induce beta cell destruction and the onset of diabetes. They were then injected with rapid acting insulin and the blood glucose level was monitored and plasma samples were collected while the mouse experiences a hypoglycemic state. When 30mg/dl was reached the mice were insufficiently treated with glucose and then the blood glucose level was monitored and plasma levels collected. This continued until the mice reached a rebound hypoglycemic state. The mice were sufficiently treated with glucose and monitored for safety. The plasma was centrifuged and measured for epinephrine levels using an epinephrine ELISA kit. The results were analyzed and a delay in epinephrine onset and a blunting of epinephrine levels was discovered.

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