The relationship of plasma glucagon to the hyperglycaemia and hyperinsulinaemia of surgical operation.

In a controlled metabolic study of 42 patients undergoing abdominal surgery a significant increase in basal values of immunoreactive glucagon (IRG) was found 24 hours postoperatively. No correlation between the onset and duration of hyperglycaemia and the increase of IRG was observed. No increase in immunoreactive insulin (IRI) was seen during operation, but there was a rise 24 hours postoperatively. The infusion of arginine was accompanied by a rise in IRG both pre-and postoperatively, but despite the high values obtained there was no accompanying further increase in basal plasma glucose in the postoperative situation. The pre- and postoperative IRI responses were similar. Our evidence suggests that glucagon is not a primary mediator of the stress response, or of the hyperglycaemia of surgical operation in these patients.