THE METABOLIC EFFECTS OF CHRONIC HYPERGLUCAGONEMIA

Abstract

A subject with a benign glucagonoma was studied before and after complete resection of his pancreatic tumour. Studies were undertaken pre- and post-operatively to determine the effects of chronic hyperglucagonaemia on glucose tolerance and glucose kinetics both in the fasting state and during physiological insulin infusions, employing the [3H]-3-glucose technique. In addition the plasma cyclic AMP response to an acute infusion of glucagon was studied pre- and post-operatively. The basal immunoreactive glucagon levels pre- and post-operatively were 10492 +/- 1296 and 149 +/- 15 pg/ml respectively. Pre- and post-operative oral glucose tolerance tests did not differ but were abnormal. Pre-opera..