title: Chromium and other insulin sensitizers may enhance glucagon secretion: implications for hypoglycemia and weight control.
abstract: Increased pancreatic beta-cell secretory activity usually is associated with decreased alpha-cell activity; stimulated beta-cells release gamma-aminobutyric acid, which hyperpolarizes alpha-cells, inhibiting glucagon release. Thus, insulin secretion and glucagon secretion are usually inversely coupled. This suggests that chromium and other insulin-sensitizing modalities, by down-regulating beta-cell activity, may increase glucagon secretion. Such an effect might play a role in the documented therapeutic activity of supplemental chromium and biguanides in reactive hypoglycemia, and might also be of benefit to dieters.
authors.affiliation: Nutrition 21, San Diego, CA 92109, USA.
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: McCarty
mesh_terms: D002857:Chromium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005934:Glucagon / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology; D000078790:Insulin Secretion; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin; D002857:Chromium; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D005934:Glucagon