EVIDENCE OF A ROLE FOR GLUCAGON IN REGULATING GLUCOSE AND β-HYDROXYBUTYRATE METABOLISM IN SHEEP

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Abstract
To evaluate the effect of glucagon on glucose and β-hydroxybutyrate metabolism, glucagon deficiency was induced by infusion of somatostatin. Glucose production rate and glucose and β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations were determined before, during and after somatostatin infusion. In order to minimize changes in insulin concentrations during somatostatin infusion, insulin-treated alloxanized sheep were used. Lowered glucagon concentrations after somatostatin infusion were associated with reduced glucose production and decreased blood glucose and β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations. This suggests that glucagon participates in maintaining the basal rate of gluconeogenesis in sheep and can influence hepatic ketogenesis.