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Release of Glucagon in Male Alcoholics with Vagal Neuropathy
Author(s) -
Tan Edward T. H.,
Lambie David G.,
Johnson Ralph H.,
Whiteside Edwin A.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
alcoholism: clinical and experimental research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.267
H-Index - 153
eISSN - 1530-0277
pISSN - 0145-6008
DOI - 10.1111/j.1530-0277.1983.tb05497.x
Subject(s) - glucagon , hypoglycemia , medicine , endocrinology , vagus nerve , anesthesia , insulin , stimulation
There is evidence supporting involvement of the parasympathetic nervous system in the control of glucagon secretion. We have investigated the possible role of vagal neuropathy in alcoholics as a cause of alcoholic hypoglycemia. Slow infusions of insulin (2.4 U/hr) were carried out in ten male alcoholics, four with and six without evidence of vagal neuropathy, and in six male controls. the fall in blood glucose levels and the rise in serum glucagon levels in the alcoholics with or without vagal neuropathy were not significantly different from controls. We conclude that vagal neuropathy in alcoholics has no effect on the glucagon response to hypoglycemia.