Treatment with glucagon-binding antibodies alters the intestinal response to starvation in the rat.

Everted intestinal rings from partially starved rats accumulate the nonmetabolized amino acid 1-amino-cyclopentane-5-carboxylic acid (ACPC) at an enhanced rate. Plasma glucagon concentrations were found to be markedly elevated in these partially starved rats as well as in rats with experimentally induced diabetes, a condition previously shown to be associated with augmented intestinal uptake of amino acid. Treatment of partially starved rats with repeated injections of glucagon-binding antiserum prevented increased ACPC uptake of intestinal rings. Chronically elevated plasma glucagon levels may participate in the mechanism of the functional changes in the intestine in partial starvation.