The effect of glucagon, glucagon-(1-21)-peptide, and placebo on duodenal pressure activity in healthy subjects.

The effects of glucagon and the glucagon-(1-21)-peptide on the duodenal pressure activity in 12 healthy subjects were studied and compared with those of placebo. A 1-mg bolus injection of either glucagon or glucagon-(1-21)-peptide was given at the end of the first interdigestive migrating complex, followed by intravenous infusion of 2 mg of each drug during the subsequent 2 h. Both glucagon and glucagon-(1-21)-peptide caused significant change (p less than 0.05) in the duodenal pressure activity, as the length of the cycle was significantly increased and the migrating motor complexes were significantly reduced. The frequency of side effects and the degree of discomfort during the recordings were significantly higher (p less than 0.01) in the glucagon period than in both the glucagon-(1-21)-peptide and the placebo periods. No differences in side effects and discomfort between glucagon-(1-21)-peptide and placebo were detected. Glucagon caused a significant increase in both serum glucose and insulin levels (p less than 0.01).