Work

Role of insulin and glucagon in the response of glucose and alanine kinetics in burn-injured patients.

Year: 1986

Type: article

Abstract: We investigated the roles of insulin and glucagon as mediators of changes in glucose and alanine kinetics during the hypermetabolic response to injury in 10 burn patients by infusing somatostatin with and without insulin replacement. Glucose and alanine kinetics were measured by primed-constant infusions of 6,6-d2-glucose and [3-13C]alanine. The basal rate of glucose production and alanine flux were significantly elevated in all patients. Lowering both hormones simultaneously caused an insignificant reduction in glucose production, but plasma glucose rose significantly (P less than 0.01), because of reduced clearance. Alanine flux and total plasma amino nitrogen increased significantly (P less than 0.05) above basal. Selectively lowering glucagon concentration decreased glucose production (P less than 0.05), and exogenous glucose was infused to maintain euglycemia. Alanine flux and total plasma amino nitrogen remained unchanged. In severely burned patients hyperglucagonemia stimulates increased glucose production, basal insulin suppression glucose production, stimulates basal glucose clearance, and is important for regulation of plasma amino acid concentrations, and the selective lowering of glucagon while maintaining basal insulin constant normalized glucose kinetics.

Source: Journal of Clinical Investigation

DOI: 10.1172/jci112644

Authors: F Jahoor, D N Herndon, R R Wolfe

Institution: The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston

Language: English

Topic: Burn Injury Management and Outcomes

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: Shriners Hospitals for Children, National Institutes of Health