Effect of insulin on hepatic blood flow in the unanesthetized dog

Abstract

The immediate and direct effect of intravenously or intra-arterially administered insulin upon hepatic blood flow was studied in unanesthetized dogs whose hepatic vessels had been previously catheterized. Comparison was made between two dose levels, 0.1 or 0.2 u/kg and 1.0 u/kg, the latter being infused over a 30-minute period. At the 0.1 or 0.2 u/g range there was no immediate statistically significant flow increase. Sporadic flow increases occurred in about half the series during the recovery phase of the hypoglycemia (20–45 min. after insulin). At the 1.0 u/kg level insulin produced a definite increase in HBF which reached its maximum at 15 minutes. These flow changes were interpreted as secondary effects to the insulin induced hypoglycemia.