Clinical Use of Diazoxide and Mechanism for Its Hyperglycemic Effects

Abstract

The mechanism of diazoxide hyperglycemia in man has been studied by measurement of serum glucose, immunoreactive insulin, and plasma free fatty acids. In a patient with islet cell carcinoma, in normal subjects, and in diabetic patients, diazoxide hyperglycemia was accompanied by a decrease in serum immunoreactive insulin, an increase in plasma free fatty acids, tachycardia, and a widened pulse pressure. The similarity of these effects to those produced by epinephrine has suggested that at least some of the effects of diazoxide may be mediated by endogenous sympathetic stimulation. Diazoxide has been used successfully to control hypoglycemia in a patient with islet cell carcinoma for 20 months.