Disappearance of glucagonoma rash after surgical resection, but not during dietary normalization of serum amino acids

Abstract

Hypoaminoacidemia and skin rash are features of the glucagonoma syndrome. A glucagonoma patient with earlier insulin treated, noninsulin-dependent diabetes, and functional liver metastases, 3 yr postresection of pancreatic tumor, was treated with a high protein diet for 2 wk, then switched to a high carbohydrate diet for 3 wk followed by 3 wk on high protein diet, which continued for 3 months with additional carbohydrate. While on the high protein diet urine nitrogen indicated frank retention and total plasma amino acid levels normalized each time. Plasma amino acid decreased again after 1 wk on the high carbohydrate diet. Skin rash varied irrespective of amino acid levels, but cleared 4 days after resection of metastases. However, total amino acid did not reach normal levels on a conventional diet 3 wk postsurgery, but were normal 6 wk later. A high protein diet can normalize plasma amino acids and allow nitrogen retention in glucagonoma, apparently overriding the gluconeogenic drive of the high circulating glucagon levels. The skin rash may not be only attributed to hypoaminoacidemia.