Studies on Endocrine Function of the Pancreas, with Respect to the Alpha Cell in Patients with Various Liver Diseases

Part I On Basal Plasma Glucagon and Insulin Levels in Fasting Condition and the Changes of These After Stimulation Arginine and Others

Abstract

Pancreatic endocrine function with respect to the alpha cell was investigated in patientswith various liver diseases and in normal controls.
The results obtained were as follows:
1. Basic plasma glucagon and insulin levels and the molar ratios between glucagonand insulin in fasting state were significantly higher in the disease group than those in normalcontrol.
2. Insulin-induced hypoglycemia caused a significantly higher increase of plasma glucagonin the disease group compared with those in normal control.
3. Responses in increases of plasma glucagon and insulin levels after adminstration ofarginine were also significantly higher in the disease group.
4. Decrease of plasma glucagon after administration of glucose orally was seemed moregradually in the disease group keeping significantly higher levels than those in normal controland, in contrast, increase of plasma insulin was observed markedly in the disease group afterthe glucose administration.
In conclusion, it was conjectured that the glucose intolerance was attributed to the significantelevation of plasma glucagon in patients with liver disease, in connectionwith the changesof plasma insulin, especially of molar ratio between glucagon and insulin.