Possible source and control of trauma-induced glucagonemia in dogs

Plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, and glucagon were studied in 10 adult mongrel dogs given (intravenous administration) a large dose of glucose (1g/kg of body weight) both before and after partial (50%) pancreatectomy. A proportional decrease in plasma immunoreactive insulin was observed in partial pancreatectomized dogs. Peak insulin response decreased from presurgery concentrations of 71 +/- 14 muU/ml (mean +/- standard error of the mean) in the dogs before surgical operation (presurgical value) to 52 +/- 6 muU/ml 1 or 4 days after surgical operation. Partial pancreatectomized dogs also showed a reduced plasma glucose removal rate. Fasting plasma concentrations of glucagon, on the other hand, increased by about 80%, from 253 +/- 25 pg/ml to 460 +/- 43 pg/ml 24 hours after operation. Despite an increased glucagon concentration in the dogs after partial pancreatectomy, plasma concentrations of glucagon responded (decreased) to large gulcose dosage administration. Plasma glucagon concentration returned to presurgical value by the 4th postsurgical day.