Effects of nickel chloride and nickel carbonyl upon glucose metabolism in rats

Hyperglycemia, hyperglucagonemia and hyperinsulinemia were observed in fasting rats at 0.5 hr after ip injection of NiCl2 (68 mumole per kg). Infusion of somatostatin iv (0.5 mg per rat) did not prevent Ni(II)-mediated hyperglycemia, hyperglucagonemia or hyperinsulinemia. Exposure of rats to inhalation of Ni(CO)4 (1.2 to 6.4 mumole per liter of air per 15 min) caused acute hyperglycemia, similar to that observed after ip injection of NiCl2. Hyperglycemia induced by NiCl2 and Ni(CO)4 was not associated with inhibition of erythrocyte glycolysis measured in vitro by erythrocyte uptake of 1-14C-glucose and release of 14CO2. These findings indicate that Ni-induced hyperglycemia may be mediated by increased pancreatic release of glucagon, but that Ni stimulation of glucagon release differs from stimulation of glucagon release by arginine or epinephrine, since the Ni effect is not antagonized by somatostatin.