Research Paper

You have free access to this content

Effect of glucagon on carbohydrate-mediated secretion of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (7–36 amide) (GLP-1)

  1. L. Ranganath1,*,
  2. F. Schaper2,
  3. R. Gama3,
  4. L. Morgan2,
  5. J. Wright2,
  6. D. Teale3,
  7. V. Marks2

Article first published online: 14 JAN 2000

DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1520-7560(199911/12)15:6<390::AID-DMRR67>3.0.CO;2-W

Issue

Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews

Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews

Volume 15, Issue 6, pages 390–394, November/December 1999

Additional Information

How to Cite

Ranganath, L., Schaper, F., Gama, R., Morgan, L., Wright, J., Teale, D. and Marks, V. (1999), Effect of glucagon on carbohydrate-mediated secretion of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (7–36 amide) (GLP-1). Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews, 15: 390–394. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1520-7560(199911/12)15:6<390::AID-DMRR67>3.0.CO;2-W

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Biochemistry, Epsom General Hospital, Epsom KT18 7EG, UK

  2. 2

    Department of Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 5XH, UK

  3. 3

    Department of Biochemistry, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford, Surrey GU2 5XX, UK

*Department of Clinical Chemistry, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Prescot Street, Liverpool L7 8XP, UK

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 14 JAN 2000
  2. Article first published online: 14 JAN 2000
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 15 OCT 1999
  4. Manuscript Revised: 6 OCT 1999
  5. Manuscript Received: 23 AUG 1999

SEARCH

SEARCH BY CITATION

ARTICLE TOOLS

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (112K)

Keywords:

  • GLP-1;
  • GIP;
  • insulin;
  • glucose;
  • glucagon;
  • gastric emptying

Abstract

Background

The insulinotropic hormones, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (7–36 amide) (GLP-1), regulate insulin secretion to nutrient intake and constitute the endocrine arm of the entero-insular axis. Glucagon has been implicated in the pathophysiology of conditions characterised by abnormal glucose tolerance such as obesity and diabetes mellitus although its effect on the entero-insular axis is not fully understood.

Materials and methods

We investigated the effect of exogenous glucagon on the entero-insular axis and its relation to gastric emptying in six healthy men aged [mean (±S.E.M.)] 23.6 (0.9) years with a body mass index of 24.0 (1.5) kg/m2. Plasma glucose, GIP, GLP-1, insulin and paracetamol concentrations were measured before and after a 100 g oral carhohydrate load containing 1.5 g of paracetamol for 6 h during intravenous infusion of either glucagon or saline.

Results

When compared to the saline infusion, peak and integrated insulin and glucose concentrations were higher (p<0.05) following glucagon infusion. After 60 min paracetamol concentrations were lower (p<0.05) following glucagon infusion. Integrated responses for GIP and GLP-1 were markedly reduced following glucagon infusion.

Conclusions

Exogenous glucagon in addition to its well-documented action of increasing glucose and insulin concentrations and delaying gastric emptying also markedly reduces GIP and GLP-1 secretion. The inhibition of GLP-1 soon after commencement of glucagon infusion supports a direct effect of glucagon on intestinal L-cells. We speculate that the marked inhibition of postprandial GLP-1 secretion by glucagon may be of importance in the pathogenesis of relative insulinopenia in Type 2 diabetes and in the development of reduced satiety in obesity and diabetes. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (112K)