Glucagon secretion in four duodenopancreatectomized patients after arginine and glucose load.

It is well established that in sera of totally duodenopancreatectomized dogs after complete insulin deprivation an immunoreactive glucagon can be found, which is indistinguishable from the pancreatic glucagon, and which can be stimulated by oral glucose and i.v. arginine as well. In four duodenopancreatectomized patients we found, after 26 h insulin deprivation, normal and elevated basal levels of IRG which were not stimulated by intravenous arginine but by oral glucose. Dilution tests of the sera before glucose stimulation showed immunological properties different from pancreatic standard glucagon, whereas in sera after stimulation immunoidentity with pancreatic standard glucagon could be demonstrated. Gel chromatography of the sera after stimulation yielded at least three immunoreactive peaks, the first over 30 000 daltons, a second eluting in the region of insulin, and a third of about 2000 daltons. True glucagon (3500 MW) could not be clearly demonstrated.