EFFECT OF INSULIN ON EXAGGERATED GLUCAGON RESPONSE TO ARGININE STIMULATION IN DIABETES-MELLITUS

The effect of insulin on the glucagon response to i.v. arginine was studied in 8 juvenile-type and 6 adult-onset diabetics. In the juvenile-type diabetics, concomitant adminstration of insulin significantly blunted the glucagon response from a mean maximal rise of 310 .+-. 54 pg/ml to only 184 .+-. 39 pg/ml (P < 0.01), about the same as in nondiabetics. In the adult-onset patients insulin had no effect, the mean maximal rise being 250 .+-. 50 pg/ml without insulin and 307 .+-. 71 pg/ml with insulin. In juvenile-type diabetics concomitant administration of supraphysiologic quantities of insulin can reduce the exaggerated glucagon response to i.v. arginine to normal, whereas in the adult-type group, it has no apparent effect.