Effect of 17-Ethyl-19-Nortestosterone on Hyperglycemic Action of Glucagon in Humans

Abstract

Intravenous glucagon tolerance tests were done on 16 patients during control periods and while under therapy with 17-ethyl-19-nortestosterone. Doses of 20-60 mg/day orally uniformly diminished or abolished the hyperglycemia produced by 0.1 mg glucagon. The mean responses were 64.2 and 11.1 mg% rise in blood sugar when off and on therapy respectively. This is a significant difference with a probability of less than 0.003. The effect was rapidly reversible when therapy was discontinued. ll31-thyroid uptakes of 8 patients were normal during therapy. The control of 3 diabetic patients was not altered. Possible mechanisms for these results are under investigation and include diminished liver glycogen, direct antagonism of anabolic and catabolic hormones, enzyme inhibition and liver cell damage by 17-ethyl-19-nortestosterone.