Summary
The use of glucagon in the termination of insulin coma therapy has been discussed. The advantages over previous techniques of termination were described. Clinical experience with 41 patients who had a total of 739 comas showed no untoward reactions with the use of glucagon. No permanent residual effects were noted, and only transitory reactions, such as delayed coma, muscular twitching and secondary comas were reported in six instances.
It has been demonstrated that glucagon is an effective, reliable and safe drug in the termination of insulin coma therapy. Its introduction as a therapeutic agent has demonstrated once more the many benefits which can be derived from basic medical research.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Murlin, J. R.; Clough, H. D.; Gibb, C. B. J., and Stokes, A. M.: Aqueous extracts of pancreas. I. Influence on carbohydrate metabolism of depancreatized animals. J. Biol. Chem., 56: 253, 1923.
Sutherland, E. W., and deDuve, C.: Origin and distribution of the hyperglycemicglycogenolytic factor of the pancreas. J. Biol. Chem., 175: 663, 1948.
Staub, A.; Sinn, L., and Behrens, O. K.: Purification and crystallization of hyperglycemic-glycogenolytic factor (H.G.F.). Science, 117: 628, 1953.
Bromer, W. W.; Sinn, L. G.; Staub, A., and Behrens, O. K.: The amino-acid sequence of glucagon. Diabetes, 6: 234, 1956.
Shurley, J. T.; Bond, E. D., and Himwich, H. E.: Insulin shock therapy in schizophrenia. V. A. Technical Bulletin, 10: 501, 1948.
Braun, M., and Parker, M.: The use of glucagon in the termination of therapeutic insulin coma. Am. J. Psychiat., 115: 9, 814–815 1959.
Koulischer, N., and Pickering, D. E.: A study on the effect of sodium thyroxine and glucagon. A.M.A. J. Dis. Child. 91: 103–112, 1956.
Whitehouse, F. W., and Bryan, H. G.: Glucagon for treatment of insulin hypoglycemia. Am. Practition. and Dig. Treatment, 10: 8, 1326–1330, 1959.
Kirtley, W. R.; Waife, S. O., and Peck, F. B.: Effect of glucagon in stable and unstable diabetic patients. Proc. Soc. Exper. Biol. and Med., 8: 387–389, 1953.
Carson, M. J., and Koch, R.: Clinical studies with glucagon in children. J. Pediat., 47: 2, 161–170, 1955.
Esquibel, A. J.; Kurland, A. A., and Mendelsohn, D.: The use of glucagon in terminating insulin coma. Dis. Nerv. Sys., XIX: 11, 1958.
Gibbs, G. E.; Ebers, D. W., and Meckel, B. R.: Use of glucagon to terminate insulin reactions in diabetic children. Nebraska State Med. J., 43: 2, 56, 1958.
Kirtley, W. R., and Peck, F. B.: Glucagon—the hyperglycemic-glycogenolytic factor. J. Indiana State Med. Assn., 51: 10, 1392–1398, 1958.
Arieff, A. J.; Crawford, J.; Adams, J., and Smith, D.: Glucagon in insulin coma therapy. Quart. Bull. Northwestern U. Med. Sch., 34: 1, 7–10, 1960.
Elrick, C. J.; Hlad, C. J., and Witten, T.: The enhancement of peripheral glucose utilization by glucagon. J. Clin. Invest., XXXIV: 12, December 1955.
Sutherland, E. W., and Cori, C. F.: Influence of insulin preparations on glycogenolysis in liver slices. J. Biol. Chem., 172: 737, 1948.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
From the department of neurology and psychiatry, Chicago Wesley Memorial Hospital and from the department of neurology and psychiatry, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Ill.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Blackman, B. The use of glucagon in insulin coma therapy. Psych Quar 35, 482–487 (1961). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01573615
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01573615