Metabolic effects of glucagon in endogenous hypertriglyceridemia.

The metabolic effects of glucagon, administered i.v. in doses of 1 microgram/kg, were evaluated in two groups of patients with endogenous hypertriglyceridemia (Types IV and V according to Fredrickson) with normal and reduced glucose tolerance and in a control group. Glucagon had a lipolytic effect, evaluated as the plasma increase of free fatty acids (FFA) during the first 20 min in normal subjects, but not in the two hyperlipemic groups. A negative correlation was observed between fasting IRI level and FFA mobilization. The ketogenic and hypotriglyceridemic effects of glucagon were demonstrated in normal and hyperlipemic groups. It would seem, therefore, that at the pharmacological doses injected, there is no resistance to the hypotriglyceridemic effect of glucagon in endogenous hypertriglyceridemia.