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Abstract
The suppressibility of plasma glucagon concentrations by glucose was investigated
in normal and diabetic children. Fasting concentrations of plasma glucagon were similar
in normal and in diabetic children despite the hyperglycemia of the latter. Infusion
of glucose promptly suppressed glucagon values in the normal as well as in the diabetic
children pretreated with half of their usual morning dose of insulin. Glucose alone,
however, did not suppress plasma glucagon in diabetic patients, despite the attainment
of significant hyperglycemia. Administration of insulin during an ongoing glucose
infusion in the diabetic patients lowered their blood glucose concentration; the concentration
of glucagon rose transiently when the glucose concentration fell. These data confirm
the existence of relative hyperglucagonemia inappropriate for the degree of blood
glucose concentration in diabetic children deprived of insulin. The data also suggest
that this hyperglucagonemia is secondary to insulin deficiency and suppressibility
of glucagon by glucose can be restored by insulin therapy.