The glucagon stimulation test: Effect on plasmagrowth hormone and on immunoreactive insulin, cortisol, and glucose in children

Abstract

Plasma growth hormone (GH), immunoreactive insulin (IRI), cortisol, and glucose were studied before andafter the intramuscular injection of glucagon (0.1 mg. per kilogram) in 80 prepubertal children. Glucose, IRI, GH, and cortisol values rose after the injection of glucagon in normal children. Peak levels were observed at 30 minutes for glucose and IR1, at 120 minutes for GH, and at 180 minutes for cortisol. Blunted responses of GH were observed in some patients with hypothyroidism or celiac disease. Hypopituitary patients had a normal response of glucose and of IR1 but not of plasma GH; plasma cortisol levels incresed following glucagon administration in those patients who otherwise had normal corticotropin reserve. In 32 of 38 children without pituitary disease, GH responses were higher to glucagon than they were to induced hypoglycemia. It is concluded that the glucagon stimulation test is a safe, easy, and reliable test to study pituitary GH reserve in children. Plasma growth hormone (GH), immunoreactive insulin (IRI), cortisol, and glucose were studied before andafter the intramuscular injection of glucagon (0.1 mg. per kilogram) in 80 prepubertal children. Glucose, IRI, GH, and cortisol values rose after the injection of glucagon in normal children. Peak levels were observed at 30 minutes for glucose and IR1, at 120 minutes for GH, and at 180 minutes for cortisol. Blunted responses of GH were observed in some patients with hypothyroidism or celiac disease. Hypopituitary patients had a normal response of glucose and of IR1 but not of plasma GH; plasma cortisol levels incresed following glucagon administration in those patients who otherwise had normal corticotropin reserve. In 32 of 38 children without pituitary disease, GH responses were higher to glucagon than they were to induced hypoglycemia. It is concluded that the glucagon stimulation test is a safe, easy, and reliable test to study pituitary GH reserve in children.