title: Plasma glucagon, insulin and glucose responses to intravenous arginine infusion in the rat.
abstract: Plasma glucagon (IRG), insulin and glucose responses to intravenous arginine infusion in the rat were studied. Three doses of arginine hydrochloride were infused into fasted rats: 0.2 gm/kg b.w., 0.5 gm/kg b.w., and 1 gm/kg b.w. The 0.2 gm/kg dose did not result in significant elevation of plasma IRG or insulin. Both the 0.5 and 1 gm/kg doses produced a significant increase in glucagon and insulin levels within 5 minutes of starting the infusion. The 1 gm/kg dose was most effective in stimulating secretion of both hormones. This dose produced a 250% rise in the plasma IRG compared to 80% peak rise with the 0.5 gm/kg dose (p less than .01) and 1055% rise in insulin levels compared to a peak level of 225% above baseline with the 0.5 gm/kg dose (p less than .001). These results demonstrate the effectiveness of intravenous arginine in the stimulation of glucagon and insulin secretion in the rat.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001120:Arginine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D005934:Glucagon / Q000097:blood*; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D005934:Glucagon; D001120:Arginine