Release of glucagon in male alcoholics with vagal neuropathy.

There is evidence supporting involvement of the parasympathetic nervous system in the control of glucagon secretion. We have investigated the possible role of vagal neuropathy in alcoholics as a cause of alcoholic hypoglycemia. Slow infusions of insulin (2.4 U/hr) were carried out in ten male alcoholics, four with and six without evidence of vagal neuropathy, and in six male controls. The fall in blood glucose levels and the rise in serum glucagon levels in the alcoholics with or without vagal neuropathy were not significantly different from controls. We conclude that vagal neuropathy in alcoholics has no effect on the glucagon response to hypoglycemia.