A test of the hypothesis that the rate of fall in glucose concentration triggers counterregulatory hormonal responses in man.

The hypothesis that the rate of fall in glucose concentration triggers counterregulatory hormonal responses was tested in five subjects following one hour of sustained hyperglycemia. Despite a rapidly falling blood glucose concentration, no increase in plasma growth hormone, cortisol, glucagon, or catecholamines occurred as long as the blood glucose concentration remained above fasting levels. Plasma growth hormone, cortisol, and catecholamines were not released until the mean blood glucose reached 28 mg.