Effect of Glucagon on Food Intake and Body Weight in Man

Abstract

A series of 10 patients was studied for a 5-week period to note the effect of glucagon on food intake and body weight. The first week was spent in learning their food preferences and judging the usual range of intake. This was followed by two periods, each of 2 weeks' duration during which the drugs were administered. Glucagon was administered for one of these two periods. The dose was 1 mg administered intramuscularly 10 minutes prior to each meal. A placebo solution was administered in an identical manner during the other period. The study was performed in a completely ‘blind’ manner. There was a highly significant diminution in caloric intake while receiving glucagon. The average difference in daily caloric intake was 440 calories. The difference in weight for the two experimental periods was also significant. Submitted on June 16, 1957