THE EFFECT OF VARIOUS STEROIDS ON THE HYPERGLYCEMIC ACTION OF GLUCAGON*†

Abstract

One hundred and forty-four patients receiving various steroid hormones were studied by the glucagon tolerance test as standarized by the authors. Neither 400 mg. of cortisone in a 24-hour period nor prolonged prednisone therapy caused an appreciable alteration of the hyperglycemic response to glucagon. Three patients with either spontaneous or induced Cushing''s syndrome did not respond excessively to glucagon. Ethinyl estradiol, diethylstilbestrol, progesterone and ethisterone failed to alter the hyperglycemic response to glucagon significantly. Normethandrone and norethandrolone completely and uniformly abolished the normal hyperglycemic response to glucagon, whereas 3 chemically or physiologically similar compounds-norethynodrel, nondrolone, and 17-(l-meth-allyl)-19-nortestosterone-failed to have any effect. Methyltestosterone, testosterone propionate, testosterone and fluoxymesterone either depressed or abolished the glucagon hyperglycemia in some, but not all, patients tested while receiving these medications. The most potent inhibitors of glucagon hyperglycemia seem to be compounds of testosterone or nortestosterone which are anabolic, androgenic, contain a 17-methyl or 17-ethyl group, and have the capacity to alter liver function.