METABOLIC CHANGES IN A SERUM GLUCAGON IMMUNOREACTIVITY AND AMINO ACIDS AFTER TOTAL PANCREATECTOMY

Abstract

In order to evaluate the metabolic changes in serum glucagon in patients after total pancreatectomy, a study was made of changes in a serum glucagon-related paptide before and after oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and of changes in the level of serum amino acids caused by the administration of exogenous glucagon. The control group composed of healthy subjects, gastrectomized group, and pancreatoduodenectomized group were compared. It was estimated that increases in the levels of serum gut GLI and glicentin in response to the oral glucose load after gastrectomy and pancreatic resection were influenced by the reconstruction of the alimentary tract. For the level of serum pancreatic glucagon, an increasing response was more marked in the group of pancreatic resection than that in the group of gastrectomy. From these findings, it was considered that not only reconstructive surgery but also resection of the pancreas per se were involved in such changes. At the same time, it seemed likely that a pancreatic glucagon measurable after total pancreatectomy was a peptide of gut origin. After total pancreatectomy, the serum amino acid level was remarkably elevated, which might suggest the necessity for the administration of exogenous glucagon in addition to insulin treatment in order to improve abnormalities associated with sugar and protein metabolisms. Further studies are expected on the methodology of the glucagon administration.