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Glucagon response to arginine stimulation in obese and diabetic children
Insights
Arginine infusion impacts growth hormone and glucagon in children. Obese children show lower growth hormone, while glucagon levels rise similarly across diabetic, obese, and control groups after infusion.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Metabolic Disorders
- Hormone Regulation
Background:
- Children with clinical diabetes mellitus and obese children with normal carbohydrate tolerance present distinct metabolic profiles.
- Understanding hormonal responses in these groups is crucial for managing pediatric metabolic health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of arginine infusion on blood glucose, growth hormone (GH), and glucagon levels in children with diabetes and obesity.
- To compare hormonal responses between diabetic children, obese children, and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Arginine infusion was administered to three groups of children: those with clinical diabetes mellitus, obese children with normal carbohydrate tolerance, and a control group.
- Plasma levels of growth hormone and glucagon were measured before and after arginine infusion.
- Blood glucose levels were also monitored.
Main Results:
- Basal plasma growth hormone (GH) levels were significantly lower in obese children compared to diabetic and control groups.
- The increase in GH following arginine infusion was significantly less pronounced in obese children.
- Despite high blood sugar in diabetics, basal plasma glucagon levels were comparable across all three groups.
- Arginine infusion led to a significant rise in plasma glucagon levels, with no significant differences observed between the groups.
Conclusions:
- Obesity in children is associated with suppressed growth hormone (GH) secretion, even after arginine stimulation.
- Arginine infusion effectively stimulates glucagon release in children, irrespective of their diabetic or obese status.
- These findings highlight differential hormonal regulation in pediatric obesity and diabetes, suggesting targeted therapeutic approaches.
Abstract:
The effect of arginine infusion on blood sugar and plasma levels of growth hormone and glucagon has been studied in children with clinical diabetes mellitus and in obese children with normal carbohydrate tolerance. Basal levels of plasma GH are significantly lower in obese children than in diabetics and controls; in obese subjects the increment of GH is significantly lower than in diabetics and controls. Basal plasma glucagon levels are comparable in all three groups despite the high sugar levels in diabetic patients. After arginine infusion there is a significant rise in glucagon levels without significant differences between the three groups.