Horm Metab Res 1987; 19(8): 375-378
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1011828
Clinical

© Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart · New York

Pre-Exposure to Glucagon Impairs Glucose Recovery after Insulin-Induced Hypoglycemia in Man

N. Clausen, U. Adamson, P. E. Lins
  • Department of Internal Medicine, Danderyd Hospital, Danderyd, Sweden
Further Information

Publication History

1986

1986

Publication Date:
14 March 2008 (online)

Summary

The effect of a two hour period of hypo- and hyperglucagonemia on a subsequent insulin-induced hypoglycemia was studied in nine healthy volunteers. Hypoglucagonemia was provoked by somatostatin (50 ug/h) and hyperglucagonemia by glucagon infusion (3.25 ng/kg/min) together with somatostatin, while saline alone was given as control. Hypoglycemia was induced by insulin infusion (2.4 U/h) for two hours. The hyperglycemic effect of glucagon was transient and similar nadir glucose levels were obtained in the three experiments. Preinfusion with glucagon impaired glucose recovery in spite of preserved secretion of epinephrine during restitution of blood glucose in this experiment. It is concluded, that a period of elevated glucagon levels deteriorates the restitution of blood glucose following hypoglycemia. Hyperglucagonemia, commonly apparent in poorly controlled diabetics, may therefore be of importance in explaining the impaired recovery of blood glucose seen in such patients after hypoglycemia.