Plasma levels of glucose, insulin and catecholamines were assessed during the early phase of sub-lethal endotoxicosis in fasted male rats which were either conscious or continuously anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital. Exogenous glucose challenge was administered during endotoxicosis to probe insulin release at a time when plasma catecholamines were elevated. An endogenous hyperglycemia occurred following endotoxin but was moderated by continuous pentobarbital anesthesia. Plasma insulin was elevated in the conscious but not anesthetized rats during endogenous hyperglycemia following endotoxin. Hyperglycemia with exogenous glucose elevated plasma insulin levels in both conscious and anesthetized groups and occurred in the presence of elevated levels of norepinephrine, epinephrine and dopamine. Simultaneous elevation of plasma catecholamine and insulin levels during endotoxicosis suggests that glucose utilization may be promoted at the same time that glucose is mobilized through adrenergic mechanisms. These events may contribute to the rapid depletion of carbohydrate stores leading to the hypoglycemia of the agonal stage of endotoxic shock.