A bronchodilator action of glucagon.
We evaluated the effect of glucagon on eight patients with asthma. After withholding bronchodilators for 12 hours, patients received either 2 units of intravenous glucagon or 2 ml of saline after a double-blind crossover protocol. Glucagon significantly improved the FEV1 (17.5% +/- 5.5 SEM) and the peak expiratory flow rate (14.2% +/- 4.9), compared to placebo (-2.4% +/- 2.9, p less than 0.02; 4.5% +/- 4.1, p less than 0.25, respectively). Seven patients had an excellent response to glucagon (40% to 105% of the response to inhaled isoproterenol), but four patients had no significant response. We conclude that glucagon, through its pharmacologic actions, can have a bronchodilator effect in selected patients with asthma.
Sherman
M S
MS
Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10467.
Lazar
E J
EJ
Eichacker
P
P
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D005934:Glucagon / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007545:Isoproterenol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000187:drug effects
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D005934:Glucagon; D007545:Isoproterenol