Summary
Non-specific plasma effects may produce major errors in the estimation of true plasma pancreatic glucagon concentrations by radioimmunoassay. This has been circumvented by the production of glucagon-free plasma for each individual investigated, by means of glucagon antibody, coupled to sepharose beads. True fasting pancreatic glucagon levels (mean ± SEM) in 18 healthy subjects (24 ± 3 pg/ml) were significantly lower (p < 0.005) than in 10 non-ketotic non-obese diabetics (38 ± 3 pg/ml). It is suggested that, in the presence of decreased insulin-effect in the diabetic, this 55% glucagon elevation in diabetics may be of biological importance and contribute to the fasting hyperglycaemia.
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Alford, F.P., Bloom, S.R. & Nabarro, J.D.N. Glucagon levels in normal and diabetic subjects: Use of a specific immunoabsorbent for glucagon radioimmunoassay. Diabetologia 13, 1–6 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00996319
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00996319