Normalization of fasting hyperglucagonemia and excessive glucagon responses to intravenous arginine in human diabetes mellitus by prolonged infusion of insulin.

Infusion of insulin (1 U/hr) for 14 hr suppressed basal glucagon levels and normalized previously excessive glucagon responses to arginine in juvenile-onset, insulin-dependent diabetic subjects, indicating that abnormal pancreatic alpha-cell function in human juvenile-onset diabetes mellitus may be a consequence of insulin lack.