Hepatic Glutamic Dehydrogenase in Diabetes and Following Excess Glucagon1

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Abstract
The finding that hepatic glutamic dehydrogenase (GDH) varies directly with the level of glucocorticoids prompted the investigation of this enzyme in the catabolic conditions associated with alloxan diabetes and during the administration of excess glucagon. In both conditions GDH activity/mg N was elevated significantly. Insulin administration or adrenalectomy prevented this response in diabetic rats. Adrenalectomy also prevented the response to glucagon. GDH activity inglucagon-treated adrenalectomized rats was only slightly above the low level in adrenalectomized controls. The combined administration of glucagon and cortisol, however, effected significant increases in hepatic GDH activity. Thus, in these catabolic states the presence of intact adrenal glands is necessary for the enhanced hepatic GDH activity.