The effect of glucagon and glucagon 1-21 on anal sphincter function

Resting anal sphincter pressure and rectoanal reflex were studied in six healthy volunteers after administration of placebo, glucagon, and glucagon 1-21. Glucagon resulted in a marked but short-lived early decrease in resting anal pressure, whereas the 1-21 fragment of the glucagon molecule had no effect. Further investigation of the possible hormonal/peptidergic regulation of anal sphincter function is necessary.