Summary
Since glucagon and insulin (G/I) have been suggested to be hepatotrophic substances, the effect of G/I infusion on the ability to excrete water and sodium was tested in seven patients with cirrhosis and ascites (decompensated group), and compared with that in seven cirrhotics without ascites (compensated group). A constant infusion of 1 U glucagon and 10 U regular insulin over 2 hours daily for 14 days resulted in a significant improvement of prothrombin time in the decompensated group. Concomitantly, an increase in urine volume (62%, p<0.02) and a tendency toward an increase in urinary sodium excretion (68%, 0.05<p<0.1) were observed only in the decompensated group after the G/I infusion. In addition, these were associated with increases in creatinine clearance and osmotic clearance. These results suggest that glucagon and insulin merit further study in hepatorenal syndrome cases.
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This study was supported in part by Grant 56370019 from the Japanese Ministry of Education, Science and Culture. The authors would like to thank Dr. Leonard B. Berman for the editing of this manuscript.
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Hattori, K., Hasumura, Y. & Takeuchi, J. Effect of simultaneous administration of glucagon and insulin on renal function in patients with liver cirrhosis and ascites. Gastroenterol Jpn 19, 59–64 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02774647
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02774647