Anomalous plasma cyclic AMP responses to glucagon in patients with liver disease

The purpose of the present study is to show anomalies of the plasma cAMP response of patients with hepatic disorders to a single injection of a low dose of glucagon (1 microgram/kg body wt). The response was markedly blunted in patients with liver cirrhosis and potentiated in patients with acute or chronic hepatitis. This glucagon test is, therefore, promising for development as a simple diagnostic means without undertaking liver biopsy to distinguish cirrhosis from chronic hepatitis.