Immunoreactive glucagon responses to intravenous tolbutamide in chronic pancreatitis

The effects of tolbutamide infusion (1 gm. over forty minutes) on plasma pancreatic glucagon-like immunoreactivity (PGLI), serum insulin, and blood glucose were studied in six patients with chronic pancreatitis and six matched controls.asal PGLI levels were significantly higher in the patients, despite higher fasting glucose concentrations. Tolbutamide infusion had no significant effect on mean PGLI levels in controls but was associated with significant elevation in pancreatitis patients, despite higher circulating glucose levels in the latter. The data suggest that chronic calcific pancreatitis patients hypersecrete immunoreactive glucagon, possibly from a nonpancreatic source and that this immunocreactive material may be stimulated by sulfonylureas.