The biology of glucagon and the consequences of hyperglucagonemia

TY - JOUR

T1 - The biology of glucagon and the consequences of hyperglucagonemia

AU - Wewer Albrechtsen, Nicolai J

AU - Kuhre, Rune E

AU - Pedersen, Jens

AU - Knop, Filip K

AU - Holst, Jens J

PY - 2016/11

Y1 - 2016/11

N2 - The proglucagon-derived peptide hormone, glucagon, comprises 29 amino acids. Its secretion from the pancreatic α cells is regulated by several factors. Glucagon increases blood glucose levels through gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis. Elevated plasma concentrations of glucagon, hyperglucagonemia, may contribute to diabetes. However, hyperglucagonemia is also observed in other clinical conditions than diabetes, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, glucagon-producing tumors and after gastric bypass surgery. Here, we review the current literature on hyperglucagonemia in disease with a particular focus on diabetes, and finally speculate that the primary physiological importance of glucagon may not reside in glucose homeostasis but in regulation of amino acid metabolism exerted via a hitherto unrecognized hepato-pancreatic feedback loop.

AB - The proglucagon-derived peptide hormone, glucagon, comprises 29 amino acids. Its secretion from the pancreatic α cells is regulated by several factors. Glucagon increases blood glucose levels through gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis. Elevated plasma concentrations of glucagon, hyperglucagonemia, may contribute to diabetes. However, hyperglucagonemia is also observed in other clinical conditions than diabetes, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, glucagon-producing tumors and after gastric bypass surgery. Here, we review the current literature on hyperglucagonemia in disease with a particular focus on diabetes, and finally speculate that the primary physiological importance of glucagon may not reside in glucose homeostasis but in regulation of amino acid metabolism exerted via a hitherto unrecognized hepato-pancreatic feedback loop.

U2 - 10.2217/bmm-2016-0090

DO - 10.2217/bmm-2016-0090

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 27611762

SN - 1752-0363

VL - 10

SP - 1141

EP - 1151

JO - Biomarkers in Medicine

JF - Biomarkers in Medicine

IS - 11

ER -