Improved bioassay for glucagon by continuous glucose monitoring

A simplified and rapid in vivo bioassay for glucagon is described. The test involves continuous monitoring of blood glucose which makes possible an exact rendering of the glucose peaks induced by intravenous injection of glucagon. Two injections of known amounts of glucagon (0.002 and 0.004 U) are followed by an intravenous injection of a solution containing an unknown amount of glucagon for testing. The whole procedure can be completed in 8 h. The interassay variability of 6 bioassay procedures was +/- 12.4%. The intra-assay variability was +/- 3%.