Plasma glucagon, insulin and glucose responses to intravenous arginine infusion in the rat.

Plasma glucagon (IRG), insulin and glucose responses to intravenous arginine infusion in the rat were studied. Three doses of arginine hydrochloride were infused into fasted rats: 0.2 gm/kg b.w., 0.5 gm/kg b.w., and 1 gm/kg b.w. The 0.2 gm/kg dose did not result in significant elevation of plasma IRG or insulin. Both the 0.5 and 1 gm/kg doses produced a significant increase in glucagon and insulin levels within 5 minutes of starting the infusion. The 1 gm/kg dose was most effective in stimulating secretion of both hormones. This dose produced a 250% rise in the plasma IRG compared to 80% peak rise with the 0.5 gm/kg dose (p less than .01) and 1055% rise in insulin levels compared to a peak level of 225% above baseline with the 0.5 gm/kg dose (p less than .001). These results demonstrate the effectiveness of intravenous arginine in the stimulation of glucagon and insulin secretion in the rat.