Effect of glucagon infusion on blood glucose, plasma immunoreactive insulin, growth hormone and adenosine 3'5'-monophosphate in obese children.

The behaviour of plasma glucose, immunoreactive insulin, growth hormone and adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) in response to glucagon infusion was investigated in obese and control children. Hyperinsulinaemia and low growth hormone levels were found in the obese group. Hyperinsulinaemia did not prevent the glucagon-induced cAMP release in obese children. The plasma cAMP concentration decreased after the first hour of glucagon infusion in both groups. The decline of cAMP concentration was more rapid in the obese group than in the controls, resulting in a significantly lower plasma cAMP level at the end of the glucagon load.