[The protective effects of glucagon and insulin in an experimental massive hepatic cell necrosis model]

When heat-killed Propionibacterium acnes was intravenously injected into mice and seven days later, a small amount of gram-negative lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was also intravenously injected, most of them died of massive hepatic cell necrosis. However, then glucagon (0.5 mg/kg body weight) and insulin (0.5 units/kg body weight) or glucagon (0.5 mg/kg body weight) individually were administered during this experimental induction of massive hepatic cell necrosis, the survival rate of mice increased and serum transaminase levels improved. Also, the histological changes of the liver improved remarkably. But, insulin (0.5 units/kg body weight) individually was not effective in an experimental massive cell necrosis model. These results suggested that glucagon and insulin was effective in our experimental massive hepatic cell necrosis model.