Summary
The glucoregulatory function of glucagon was investigated in hypo-, eu- and hyperthyroid miniature pigs. Infusion glucagon, (3 ng x kg body weight−1 · min−1) transiently increased blood glucose (p<0.01) and hepatic glucose production (p<0.01) in euthyroidism, but was without effect in hyperthyroidism. Infusing glucagon plus somatostatin (2 ng x kg body weight−1 · min−1 and 0.2 μg x kg body weight−1 · min−1) transiently increased blood glucose (Δ 3.0 to 4.3 mmol/l) and hepatic glucose production (Δ 3.3 to 7.7 umol x kg body weight−1 · min−1) in all thyroid states, the effect was less pronounced in hyperthyroid pigs. By contrast, hypoglucagonaemia (74 to 107 pg/ml) at basal insulin (28 to 35 μU/ml) provoked hypoglycaemia (1.4 to 2.2 mmol/l) and a fall in glucose production (Δ 4.7 to 8.3 umol x kg body weight−1 · min−1), which was independent of the thyroid state; the effect was most pronounced in hyperthyroidism (p<0.01). Hepatic glycogen content, arterial gluconeogenic precursor concentrations as well as the glycaemic response (Δ 0.60 mmol/l) to alanine infusion (23 umol x kg body weight−1 · min−1) were all unaffected by hyperthyroidism. We conclude that moderate experimental hyperthyroidism reduces glucagon action due to reduced glycogen mobilisation. This may in part result from increased insulin sensitivity.
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Müller, M.J., Mitchinson, P.E., Paschen, U. et al. Glucoregulatory function of glucagon in hypo-, eu- and hyperthyroid miniature pigs. Diabetologia 31, 368–374 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02341505
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02341505