Physiology, Glucagon

Excerpt

The recognition of glucagon as a hormone followed Unger's pioneering work reporting on its quantitation by radioimmunoassay. Unger first reported the glycogenolytic, gluconeogenic, and ketogenic effects of glucagon in dogs. Glucagon, manufactured by the alpha cells in the pancreatic islets, stimulates glucose production through glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis. Elevated plasma concentrations of glucagon and hyperglucagonemia contribute to the hyperglycemia of diabetes. Hyperglucagonemia also occurs in other clinical conditions such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, glucagon-producing tumors, and after gastric bypass surgery. This brief review covers the relevant biochemistry, physiology, measurement, and clinical relevance of glucagon.