THE EFFECTS OF TOTAL STARVATION UPON THE LEVELS OF CIRCULATING GLUCAGON AND INSULIN IN MAN*

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Abstract
The levels of circulating glucagon and insulin were measured in young male volunteers during 3 days of complete starvation and subsequent glucose refeeding. Glucagon concentration rose after 48 hours to a mean value which, at 72 hours, was 3 times the prestarvation level. After 3 days of starvation, the ingestion of 100 g of glucose invariably resulted in a "diabetic" tolerance curve. Glucagon concentration declined to a variable degree in most subjects, but remained well above the normal prestarvation level for most, if not all, of the 3-hour test. The mean insulin level, which before starvation rose rapidly to a peak 40 minutes after glucose ingestion and declined rapidly thereafter, rose more slowly to a peak at 120 minutes and remained well elevated throughout the third hour. The results suggest that glucose need of starvation results in enhancement of glucagon secretion and alters the response of insulin secretion and/or activity to supplement glucose loading.