The effect of feeding and starvation upon immunoreactive glucagon in the pancreatectomized pig

The response of 13 pigs to total pancreatectomy was compared with the response of 9 animals to sham operation. Approximately half of each group had free access to food while the remainder received oral water only. Completeness of pancreatectomy was confirmed at autopsy, and the disappearance of insulin and the rise in blood glucose to 14-19 mmol/l. Immunoreactive glucagon (IRG) increased in fed pancreatectomized pigs from the 3rd day postoperatively to a level of 350-400% of basal values by the 8th day. There was no rise in starved pancreatectomized animals, or in either group of sham-operated animals. The rises in glucose, free fatty acids, triglycerides and ketones were similar in the two groups of pigs.