Work

Glucagon Deficiency Reduces Hepatic Glucose Production and Improves Glucose Tolerance In Adult Mice

Year: 2010

Type: article

Abstract: The major role of glucagon is to promote hepatic gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis to raise blood glucose levels during hypoglycemic conditions. Several animal models have been established to examine the in vivo function of glucagon in the liver through attenuation of glucagon via glucagon receptor knockout animals and pharmacological interventions. To investigate the consequences of glucagon loss to hepatic glucose production and glucose homeostasis, we derived mice with a pancreas specific ablation of the alpha-cell transcription factor, Arx, resulting in a complete loss of the glucagon-producing pancreatic alpha-cell. Using this model, we found that glucagon is not required for the general health of mice but is essential for total hepatic glucose production. Our data clarifies the importance of glucagon during the regulation of fasting and postprandial glucose homeostasis.

Source: Molecular Endocrinology

DOI: 10.1210/me.2010-0120

Authors: Aidan S. Hancock, Aiping Du, Jingxuan Liu, Mayumi Miller, Catherine L. May

Institutions: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania

Language: English

Topic: Pancreatic function and diabetes

Subfield: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases