High circulating levels of glucagon and gastrin in anephric subjects.

Six nephrectomised patients undergoing chronic haemo-dialysis and six patients who have had renal transplantation were studied in comparison with a control group of healthy subjects. Their glucose, insulin, glucagon and gastrin levels were measured during a 50g oral glucose tolerance test which, in the dialysis group, was carried out just prior to a dialysis period. In this group fasting blood samples were obtained also on the morning immediately following dialysis. Glucagon levels were high in the dialysis group and gastrin levels were raised in both the dialysis and transplant groups. These abnormalities may be related to some of the clinical features of renal failure.