Glucagon is absorbed from the rectum but does not hasten recovery from hypoglycaemia in patients with type 1 diabetes.
OBJECTIVE
A failure to secrete glucagon during hypoglycaemia is near universal in patients with type 1 diabetes 5 years after disease onset and may contribute to delayed counter-regulation during hypoglycaemia. Rectal glucagon delivery may assist glucose recovery following insulin-induced hypoglycaemia in such patients and has not been previously studied.


METHODS
Six male patients (age 21-38 years) with type 1 diabetes (median duration 10 years) without microvascular complications, were studied supine after an overnight fast on two separate occasions at least 14 days apart. After omission of their usual morning insulin and 45 min rest, hypoglycaemia was induced by an intravenous insulin infusion which was terminated when capillary glucose concentration reached 2.5 mmol l(-1). Subjects were randomized to insert a rectal suppository containing 100 mg indomethacin alone (placebo) or 100 mg indomethacin plus 1 mg glucagon at the hypoglycaemic reaction. Serial measurements were made for 120 min.


RESULTS
In the two groups, mean (SD) plasma glucose concentrations fell to a similar nadir of 1.8 (0.7) mmol l(-1) (placebo) and 2.1 (1.2) mmol l(-1) (glucagon). Peak plasma glucagon following hypoglycaemia was higher in the glucagon group; 176 (32) ng l(-1)vs. 99 (22) ng l(-1) after placebo (P = 0.006). However, the glucose recovery rate over 120 min after hypoglycaemia did not differ significantly.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results provide evidence for the absorption of glucagon from the rectum. They also indicate that 1 mg does not constitute a useful mode of therapy to hasten recovery from hypoglycaemia in patients with type 1 diabetes.
Department of Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol, UK.
David R
DR
Parker
Geoffrey D
GD
Braatvedt
Alexandra
A
Bargiota
Paul G
PG
Newrick
Stephen
S
Brown
Gregory
G
Gamble
Roger J M
RJ
Corrall
D000285:Administration, Rectal; D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000150:complications*; D005934:Glucagon / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000209:etiology*; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D005934:Glucagon