Endogenous glucagon regulation in genetically hyperlipemic obese rats
Eaton, R.P.; Conway, M.; Schade, D.S.
American Journal of Physiology 230(5): 1336-1341
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9513 PMID: 1275076 Document Number: 107221
Compared with phenotypically thin and normolipaemic littermates, Zucker rats which were obese and hyperlipaemic showed reduced basal plasma glucagon values which were further reduced by fasting. In response to intraperitoneal injection of arginine, a subnormal rise in plasma glucagon occurred in the obese, lipaemic rats but when they were given glucose by mouth plasma glucogan was suppressed. The reduced secretion of glucagon is attributed to the abnormal increase in plasma insulin, free fatty acids and glucose which is characteristic of the obese, lipaemic animal. A possible role of glucagon deficiency in the evolution or maintenance of hyperlipaemia is suggested.