Abstract |
It is well known that glucagon, like insulin, is very
important in the moment-to-moment control of the
homeostasis of glucose, and of amino acids. Glucagon
has been shown to have potent glycogenolytic,
gluconeogenic and lipolytic activities. Attention to
its role in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus and
hypoglycemia has been also advanced recently. To
evaluate the diurnal variation of plasma glucagon
concentration, we measured serum glucose, insulin, and
plasma glucagon every 30 minutes or every hour in 7
normal Korean adults. Results were as follows: 1)
Although plasma glucagon concentration showed wide
individual variations, it had a tendency to decrease
after meals. After lunch and dinner, plasma glucagon
concentration had gradual1y declined and reached its
nadir at postprandial 2-2.5 hours. The minimal level of
plasma glucagon was at 4 A.M. 2) Serum insulin:plasma
glucagon ratios were increased promptly after meals.
Especially after lunch, its peak was prominent
(3.65¡¾1. 95). The minimal level of serum
insulin:plasma glucagon ratio appeared at 6 AM. |