Effect of exogenously administered glucagon on plasma glucose levels in totally depancreatized dogs

Summary

Glucagon was administered exogenously via a subcutaneous route to totally depancreatized adult mongrel dogs and studies were made with major emphasis on glucagon effect on the plasma glucose levels.

• 1. In the totally depancreatized dogs, the plasma glucose levels determined 90 minutes after glucagon injection (40µg/kg s.c.) were compared with the pretreatment fasting plasma glucose levels. The rate of increase in the plasma glucose levels was 5.13^±0.48 times (M^±SEM) in dogs with low pretreatment levels (lower than 100 mg/dl). In dogs with higher pretreatment levels (100–400mg/dl), the increase was 1.62^±0.40 times. And in dogs with the pretreatment levels higher than 400mg/dl, the value was 0.90^±.07 times.

• 2. Ninety minutes after regular insulin injection (0.25U/kg i.v.), glucagon was administered (40/smg/kg s.c), and the changes in the plasma glucose levels were determined.

• 3. In totally depancreatized dogs, a transient increase in the plasma insulin level was noted when glucagon was administered (40/smg/kg s.c.) under infusion of a mixture of glucose and insulin.

• 4. There was no significant difference in the rate of disappearance of glucagon from the blood between normal and totally depancreatized dogs.

• 5. It is considered that glucagon would be useful for the treatment of hypoglycemia encountered after total pancreatectomy.