Distribution of Plasma Glucagon Immunoreactivity in a Patient with Suspected Glucagonoma

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Abstract
Gel filtration of plasma from a patient with a clinical syndrome of glucagonoma and a total plasma glucagon level of 2600 pg/ml, revealed the four glucagon immunoreactive fractions found in normal subjects. The total hyperglucagonemia observed was due to high levels of true glucagon and proglucagon moieties. The so-called “big plasma glucagon” (BPG) measured 190 pg/ml (normal average 113 ± 79 pg/ml, Mean ± SD, N = 10); the large glucagon immunoreactivity, LGI (9000 mol wt), measured 625 pg/ml (normal average 11 ± 16 pg/ml); the true glucagon accounted for 1435 pg/ml (normal average 31 ± 29 pg/ml); and the small glucagon immunoreactive fraction (∼2000 mol wt) measured 35 pg/ml (normal average 26 ± 18 pg/ml). The high levels of LGI, considered a candidate for proglucagon, may reflect the increased secretory activity of the tumor.

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