Effect of glipizide on the surgically altered pancreas.

Surgical alterations of the pancreas affect peripheral glucose, insulin, and glucagon levels with accompanying changes in carbohydrate metabolism. The sulfonylurea glipizide has been used to treat insulin-deficient states; however, its mechanism is not completely known. We hypothesized that glipizide would correct postoperative changes in glucose handling in a way that would allow more complete understanding of the drug's action. Two surgical groups (Group 1:80 percent proximal pancreatectomy; Group 2: proximal pancreatectomy plus splenocaval diversion) were compared with a healthy control group (Group 3). We have concluded that glipizide may have affected basal insulin sensitivity in the control group and Group 2 animals without affecting insulin secretion in response to oral or intravenous glucose stimulation. Glipizide does not correct the alterations in glucose handling or insulin secretion after reduction in beta-cell mass.