Effect of glucagon infusion on plasma cyclic AMP in patients with cholestatic hepatitis and obstructive jaundice. New test of hepatic cholestasis.

Plasma cyclic AMP concentration during glucagon infusion at various time intervals was determined in 8 normal subjects, 9 patients with extrahepatic obstructive jaundice and 10 patients with cholestatic hepatitis (hepatitis A and B). Plasma cyclic AMP concentrations (pmol/ml) during glucagon infusion in patients with both obstructive jaundice and cholestatic hepatitis were found to be greater than those in control subjects. In addition, a significant difference in plasma cyclic AMP concentrations was found between patients with cholestatic hepatitis and obstructive jaundice at the 10th minute of glucagon infusion. These results indicate that plasma cyclic AMP levels at the 10th minute of glucagon infusion represent a reliable diagnostic index of cholestatic jaundice.