Elevation of plasma glucagon-like immunoreactivity (GLI) in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Plasma glucagon-like immunoreactivity (GLI) levels were increased in patients with liver cirrhosis. The levels were not significantly correlated with plasma glucagon immunoreactivity (GI) and serum insulin levels. None of the conventional liver function tests were correlated with the GLI levels, although plasma GI levels were high in cirrhotics with hyperammonemia. A significant correlation between plasma GLI and amino acid levels was not observed in these cases. The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) showed a significant decrease of plasma GI levels in cirrhotics but no change of plasma GLI concentrations: cirrhotic patients with diabetes mellitus or total gastrectomy showed marked increases of GLI levels. Glucagon (Glucagon Novo) injection at a dose of 10 micrograms/kg body weight to cirrhotic patients produced marked increases of both GI and GLI levels rapidly, though the mechanism of GLI elevation could not be clearly explained.