Prostaglandin E1 increases basal glucagon in man

Effect of 15(R),15-methyl prostaglandin E2 and indomethacin on pancreatic secretion in man

In addition to gastric mucosal cytoprotective and antisecretory effects, prostaglandin E2 has a beneficial effect on experimental pancreatitis in some animal models, while prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors such as indomethacin and salicylates may induce pancreatitis at maximal doses. However, their effect on human pancreas is unclear. For this reason we considered it necessary to delineate their actions on human pancreatic secretion. Six healthy volunteers were studied on six separate days. On day 1, against a background of 1 pmol/kg/hr secretin, increasing doses of CCK were infused intravenously. On day 2, increasing doses of an amino acid mixture were infused intraduodenally and both studies were repeated on two occasions, following 100 micrograms 15(R), 15-methyl prostaglandin E2 per os on one and following indomethacin 50 mg orally 12 and 1 hr prior to the study on the other. Both indomethacin and PGE2 had no significant effect on pancreatic secretion in response to graded doses of CCK. 15(R),15-Methyl prostaglandin E2 and indomethacin caused a reduction of amylase output in response to the higher doses of intraduodenal amino acids. The prostaglandin E2 derivative also elicited a significant increase in basal bicarbonate output.

IN CONCLUSION

the acute effects of 15(R),15-methyl prostaglandin E2 and indomethacin on human pancreatic secretion do not seem to offer an explanation for the mechanisms of protection against experimental acute pancreatitis or an association with pancreatitis, respectively.

The relationship between glucagon and prostaglandin F in stimulating canine hepatic bile flow

Both glucagon and prostaglandin F2 alpha have been shown to stimulate a chloride-rich choleresis in dogs. This study was performed to ascertain the interrelationship between glucagon and prostaglandin F2 alpha in stimulating bile flow. The experiments were performed using dogs with chronic biliary and gastric fistulas. Initially, the effects of prostaglandin F2 alpha on serum glucagon levels were evaluated. Glucagon administration increased bile volume and chloride secretion as did prostaglandin F2 alpha. Serum glucagon levels during prostaglandin F2 alpha administration were increased significantly over baseline values. During prostaglandin F2 alpha administration, the increase in serum glucagon concentration correlated well with the increase in hepatic bile flow. Administration of somatostatin, a hormone known to inhibit glucagon release, prevented the choleresis produced by prostaglandin F2 alpha while simultaneously eliminating the hyperglucagonemia. Subsequently, the effects of glucagon on bile prostaglandin F secretion and the effect of prostaglandin synthetase inhibition on glucagon choleresis were evaluated. Bile prostaglandin F secretion increased from control values of 101 +/- 27 pg per min (mean +/- S.D.) during bile salt infusion alone to 1,498 +/- 1,086 pg per min during the administration of 1 microgram kg-1 hr-1 glucagon. The prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor, indomethacin, significantly decreased the choleresis, the increased bile chloride secretion and the increased bile prostaglandin F secretion produced by glucagon. The results of this study indicate that prostaglandin F2 alpha-stimulated bile flow is primarily the result of glucagon release and suggest that prostaglandin F2 alpha may be involved in glucagon secretion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Prostaglandins and the alpha-cell

Experimental evidence has recently accumulated indicating that administration of some prostaglandins (PGs), particularly those of the E series, can evoke release of glucagon by the pancreatic alpha-cells. Virtually, all the in vitro studies (isolated perfused rat pancreas, isolated guinea-pig islets) agree that PGs can increase both basal and stimulated glucagon release. On the other hand, inhibition of PG synthesis with indomethacin blocks glucagon release. In rats and in normal humans, PGE1, but not PGA2 or PGF2a, causes a progressive rise of plasma glucagon levels. While in the rat this response seems independent of the adrenergic nervous system, in man the hyperglucagonemia induced by PGE1 is easily suppressed by propranolol, suggesting an interaction between the prostaglandin and the beta-receptors of the alpha-cell. Studies with inhibitors of PG synthesis in vivo have yielded conflicting results, depending on the particular experimental protocol used and on the type of inhibitor tested. In normal humans, it seems that acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) has no effect on glucagon response to arginine, tolbutamide and insulin-induced hypoglycemia. Conversely, a stimulator of PG synthesis, such as furosemide, increases glucagon response to an arginine pulse in man. In insulin-dependent diabetics, who present an exaggerated glucagon response to stimulants, ASA fails to alter glucagon response to arginine, but completely blunts the glucagon response to salbutamol, a weak beta-2 receptor agonist. In conclusion, these observations provide evidence in support to a role for PGs, at least PGE, in the contro of glucagon release.

Effects of acetylsalicylic acid on plasma glucose, free fatty acid, betahydroxybutyrate, glucagon and C-peptide responses to salbutamol in insulin-dependent diabetic subjects

The selective beta 2-adrenergic agonist salbutamol increases plasma glucose concentration and the rate of lipolysis when infused in pregnant diabetic women. The aim of the present study was twofold: (a) to focus on the actions of salbutamol on lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in insulin-dependent diabetics: and (b) to investigate possible interferences of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) with the metabolic responses to i.v. salbutamol. The results obtained during salbutamol infusion (5 microgram/min) in 6 insulin-dependent diabetic subjects demonstrated that this drug caused sustained increases in plasma glucose, free fatty acid and beta-hydroxybutyrate concentrations, as well as a small and transient rise of plasma glucagon. No change in plasma C-peptide concentration occurred during salbutamol. A concurrent infusion of lysine acetylsalicylate reduced the increase in free fatty acids by half, blunted the weak glucagon response but enhanced the rise in plasma glucose following salbutamol administration. The present data show that salbutamol exerts a potent hyperglycemic, lipolytic and ketogenic effect in insulin-dependent diabetics. We suggest that this beta-adrenergic agent should be used cautiously in human diabetes mellitus.

Influence of acetylsalicylic acid on plasma glucose, insulin, glucagon, and growth hormone levels following tolbutamide stimulation in man

The effects of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), a known inhibitor of prostaglandin (PG) synthesis, on plasma glucose, insulin, glucagon and growth hormone (GH) responses to tolbutamide were examined in ten normal volunteers. Treatment with 3.2 g ASA daily for 3 days caused a significant reduction in basal plasma glucose levels (p less than 0.05); by contrast, basal insulin rose from 23 +/- 2 to 31 +/- 2 microU/ml (p less than 0.01). No significant changes in the basal concentrations of glucagon and GH were found after ASA. Insulin response to tolbutamide was significantly augmented after ASA (p less than 0.01) while GH response to hypoglycemia was reduced (p less than 0.05). The pattern of plasma glucose and glucagon was not significantly modified by the treatment. Since ASA seems to have an action opposite to PGE on insulin and GH secretion, it is possible that the ASA may work through inhibition of PG synthesis.