The preventive effect of glucagon (HGF) against the diabetogenic action of alloxan and its antagonism by insulin.

Abstract

SUMMARY The intravenous injection of glucagon (0·4 mg/kg) 12–30 min before the administration of a diabetogenic dose of alloxan (60 mg/kg) prevents the development of alloxan diabetes in dogs. The protection obtained with glucagon is abolished by a subcutaneous injection of insulin (2 i.u./kg) administered 2 hr previously. The possible mechanism of this protection and of its antagonism by insulin is discussed.