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Using glucagon receptor antagonism to evaluate the physiological effects of extrapancreatic glucagon in totally pancreatectomised individuals: a randomised controlled trial

Juel CT, Lund AB, Hædersdal S, Andersen MM, Hansen CP, Storkholm JH, van Hall G, Hartmann B et al.

Diabetologia, 2025

Abstract

Aims/hypothesis: Previous studies have indicated that 29-amino-acid glucagon (i.e. 'pancreatic' glucagon) circulates in totally pancreatectomised individuals and that a postprandial glucagon response can be detected. Using a glucagon receptor antagonist (GRA), we investigated the possible role of extrapancreatic glucagon on glucose, lipid and amino acid metabolism in totally pancreatectomised individuals.

Method: In a randomised, crossover study, nine totally pancreatectomised individuals and nine matched healthy control individuals were given, in randomised order (planned on the website www.random.org ), 300 mg GRA (LY2409021; Eli Lilly) or placebo 10 h before two 3 h OGTTs. The experiment was double-masked (i.e. both participants and investigator were masked for the type of the experimental day [day A vs day B]). The key inclusion criteria for the healthy control participants were age >18 years, normal fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c 31-44 mmol/mol (5.0-6.2%), haemoglobin >7.0 mmol/l (men) / >6.5 mmol/l (women) and informed consent. Key inclusion criteria for the pancreatectomised individuals were age >18 years, haemoglobin in the normal range and informed consent. The primary endpoint was the difference in plasma glucose excursions between study days.

Results: Glucagon concentrations remained unchanged from fasting concentrations during the OGTT in the totally pancreatectomised individuals on both study days and circulating glucose, lipids and amino acid levels were…

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Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design.

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