Regulatory mechanism of the ventromedial hypothalamus in enhancing glucose uptake in skeletal muscles

To evaluate roles of the sympathetic nervous system in enhancing glucose uptake in skeletal muscles in response to electrical stimulation of the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMH), the effects of guanethidine treatment and adrenal demedullation on the response were examined in rats anesthetized and injected with muscle relaxant, pancuronium bromide. Pretreatment with guanethidine effectively suppressed the increase in the rate constant of glucose uptake, measured by the 2-deoxy- d-[ 3H]glucose method, in skeletal muscles upon VMH stimulation. However, bilateral adrenodemedullation had no significant effect. These results suggest that the VMH is intimately concerned in the regulation of glucose uptake in skeletal muscles through intermediation of the sympathetic nerves.