Minimal increases in glucagon levels enhance glucose production in man with partial hypoinsulinemia.
In man a small dose of somatostatin (50 micrograms/h) suppressed moderately basal insulin (5 microU/ml) and glucagon (40 pg/ml) levels. This resulted in a short-lasting hypoglycemia, which was then followed by marginal hyperglycemia throughout the experiment. The addition of a minimal dose of glucagon (0.50 ng/kg/min) to somatostatin normalized basal glucagon levels and resulted in a significant and sustained hyperglycemia. During the first 2 h, hyperglycemia was mainly due to increased glucose production, whereas later on it was maintained by decreased glucose uptake. We conclude that, in man moderately deprived of insulin, even a marginal change in glucagon level induces a long-lasting hyperglycemia.
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005934:Glucagon / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000209:etiology*; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000494:pharmacology
D007328:Insulin; D013004:Somatostatin; D005934:Glucagon; D005947:Glucose