Glucagon secretion in subjects with prediabetes, diabetes mellitus and obesity.

The blood glucagon concentration (fasting and in insulin hypoglycemia) was determined by radioimmunoassay in diabetic patients, relatives of diabetic patients with a normal glucose tolerance test, patients with obesity and a group of normal weight subjects. The index of glucagon rise above the fasting level and glucagon release rate were estimated. In relatives of diabetic and obese patients the initial blood glucagon concentration did not differ from that of healthy subjects.

[Prostaglandin E binding by plasmatic membranes of thyroid gland cells].

The binding of prostaglandins E (PGE) with human and bovine thyrocyte plasmatic membranes was investigated by the new method with material from the kit for radioimmunoassay of PGE. There was a high affinity and a low affinity site for the specific PGE binding on human and bovine thyrocytes plasmic membranes. The effect of thyrotropin and cyclic nucleotides on the PGE binding by the membranes was revealed.

[Glucagon secretion in several endocrine diseases].

The authors examined 48 patients with different endocrine pathology (relatives of patients with diabetes mellitus with a normal glucose tolerance test, patients with diabetes mellitus, obesity, thyrotoxicosis, and hypothyroidism) and a group of healthy persons. Blood glucagon concentration was determined radioimmunologically on fasting stomach and against the background of insulin hypoglycemia. A marked reduction of glucagon on fasting stomach was noted in patients with diabetes mellitus, and a reduction of the hormone concentration 30 and 60 min after the insulin injection.