Abnormal Pancreatic Alpha-Cell Function in Bacterial Infections

Abstract

To determine the effect of infection on pancreatic alpha-cell function, plasma glucagon was measured in 22 nondiabetic patients hospitalized with bacterial infection. Glucagon averaged 409 ± 129 pg per milliliter(mean ± S.E.M.) in six patients with severe infection and 185 ± 31 pg per milliliter in 11 with moderate infection, values significantly greater than the mean fasting concentration of 75 ± 4 pg per milliliter found in healthy subjects. The elevated value in all groups returned to normal with recovery. Experimental pneumonococcal pneumonia in dogs was also associated with hyperglucagonemia.