Research looks at relationship of excessive glucagon in type 2 diabetes

[DCUK NewsBot]

Researchers have investigated the factors associated with raised levels of glucagon in people with type 2 diabetes. Glucagon is a hormone produced by the pancreas which works to raise the concentration of glucose. Alongside insulin it helps to balance blood glucose levels. Hyperglucagonemia is where there is an excessive secretion of glucagon. Danish researchers from Steno Diabetes Centre Copenhagen, University of Copenhagen looked into determining the factors behind fasting hyperglucagonemia in people with type 2 diabetes as well as those without the condition. The scientists were studying the relationship with between fasting hyperglucagonemia, which can have a negative impact on glucose metabolism in people with type 2 diabetes, and other biochemical and blood glucose factors. They examined a range of factors, including body mass index, HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose and insulin concentrations as well as waist-to hip ratio (WHR). The results showed that the people with type 2 diabetes had higher concentrations of fasting plasma glucagon, with determining factors being WHR and glycemic control as well as fasting plasma insulin concentrations. WHR was also a factor in determining fasting hyperglucagonemia in people without diabetes. According to the researchers, the findings indicate that visceral fat deposition plays a key role in increased fasting plasma glucagon concentrations. Editor-in-chief of the journal, Professor Adrian Vella, who is a professor at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, based in Rochester, said: "Glucagon is the neglected glucoregulatory hormone in type 2 diabetes - mainly because its dysregulation is considered to be secondary to defects in insulin secretion. There is increasing evidence that abnormal glucagon secretion occurs early in the pathogenesis of diabetes. This paper together with a few others suggests that defects in insulin action contribute to this dysregulation." The study was published by the journal Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders.

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[Guzzler]

Another long word that I am going to have trouble pronouncing, hyperglucagonaemia...

 

[kitedoc]

I think it shows how incredibly complex diabetes is, like an onion which has more and more layers.
It would be interesting to study glucagon levels in those with RH as well.

 

[ickihun]

A professor at the Mayo Clinic College ofMedicine, based in Rochester, said: "Glucagon is the neglected glucoregulatory hormone in type 2 diabetes -mainly because its dysregulation isconsideredto be secondary to defectsininsulin secretion. There is increasing evidence that abnormal glucagon secretion occurs early in the pathogenesis of diabetes. Thispapertogether with a few others suggests that defectsininsulinaction contribute to this dysregulation."

So
The glucagon.... (produced in liver, other organs and muscles) are now being recognised as more influential then first thought in insulin action defects (IR etc) ?
Defects that contribute to the breakage of the diabetic metabolism.
The liver performance is a key to understanding type2. I have felt for a long time.

I will even stick my neck out and say disfunctional livers in parents when conceiving may help to explain why so many more type2s now than years ago. The liver is evolving and having to expand to cater for modern lifestyles (alcohol and drugs, maybe chemicals or plastics too) hence why antioxidants influence insulin response too.
The livers glucagon performance is what matters in solving type2 diabetes not the responding insulin production or lack of enough insulin production.
We need to reset the livers output or regulate it in its own failure.
Right?
Which metformin does by accident but was originally thought to help process glucose in the stomach/intestines but influences the liver, a little.
Now we need a stronger metformin tablet without its nasty side effects in the digestive system.

I'd be interested in the findings in a patient who is type2 and has had a successful none diabetic liver transplant. Is their diabetes status affected? And vice versa.
Anyone received a diabetic liver in a none diabetic who then quickly develops type2?

 

[ickihun]

I think it shows how incredibly complex diabetes is, like an onion which has more and more layers.
It would be interesting to study glucagon levels in those with RH as well.

Or the lack of its release when carbs are involved.
Totally agree all variations in the metabolism mechanics need greater understanding, to help all.

I've always wondered why steroids cause type2 temporarily. Does steroid increase production of glucagon ???? Does RH patients need a form of steroid to improve their health status?
What is the opposite of a steroid hormone for type2s? I believe in biology there is always a yin to the yang!

 

[Guzzler]

I think it shows how incredibly complex diabetes is, like an onion which has more and more layers.
It would be interesting to study glucagon levels in those with RH as well.

Earlier this evening I was listening to a podcast with Ben Bikman and he was saying that glucagon is just as an important aspect in T1 as in T2 so, yes, RH and the glucagon insulin ratios/relationship would be a really interesting topic to explore. In my months of learning about Diabetes I have yet to hear a single boffin mention RH.

 

[kitedoc]

A professor at the Mayo Clinic College ofMedicine, based in Rochester, said: "Glucagon is the neglected glucoregulatory hormone in type 2 diabetes -mainly because its dysregulation isconsideredto be secondary to defectsininsulin secretion. There is increasing evidence that abnormal glucagon secretion occurs early in the pathogenesis of diabetes. Thispapertogether with a few others suggests that defectsininsulinaction contribute to this dysregulation."

So
The glucagon.... (produced in liver, other organs and muscles) are now being recognised as more influential then first thought in insulin action defects (IR etc) ?
Defects that contribute to the breakage of the diabetic metabolism.
The liver performance is a key to understanding type2. I have felt for a long time.

I will even stick my neck out and say disfunctional livers in parents when conceiving may help to explain why so many more type2s now than years ago. The liver is evolving and having to expand to cater for modern lifestyles (alcohol and drugs, maybe chemicals or plastics too) hence why antioxidants influence insulin response too.
The livers glucagon performance is what matters in solving type2 diabetes not the responding insulin production or lack of enough insulin production.
We need to reset the livers output or regulate it in its own failure.
Right?
Which metformin does by accident but was originally thought to help process glucose in the stomach/intestines but influences the liver, a little.
Now we need a stronger metformin tablet without its nasty side effects in the digestive system.

I'd be interested in the findings in a patient who is type2 and has had a successful none diabetic liver transplant. Is their diabetes status affected? And vice versa.
Anyone received a diabetic liver in a none diabetic who then quickly develops type2?

Hi @ickihun, From Wikipedia - Glucagon - glucagon is made and released from the alpha cells in the pancreas. Yes, according to this source, glucagon causes the liver to release stored glucose as well as influences the release of glucose from break down of fat. Glucagon also seems to enhance the progression of Diabetic Keto-acidosis in T1Ds. And surprise, surprise glucagon is elevated during stress and its release is enhanced by adrenaline - which might help example the high BSLS in diabetics after a hypo.
Also it makes sense that glucagon release in diabetics is part of the reason for the Dawn Phenomenon ( ADA.org -Dawn Phenomenon). And in Type 3 diabetes little or no glucagon is produced.
In non-diabetics one could describe glucagon and insulin as Yin and Yang - they tend to balance one another in keeping the person's BSL in range. Presumably when one's own insulin release is absent or mistimed the balance goes out the window!!

 

[ickihun]

Hi @ickihun, From Wikipedia - Glucagon - glucagon is made and released from the alpha cells in the pancreas. Yes, according to this source, glucagon causes the liver to release stored glucose as well as influences the release of glucose from break down of fat. Glucagon also seems to enhance the progression of Diabetic Keto-acidosis in T1Ds. And surprise, surprise glucagon is elevated during stress and its release is enhanced by adrenaline - which might help example the high BSLS in diabetics after a hypo.
Also it makes sense that glucagon release in diabetics is part of the reason for the Dawn Phenomenon ( ADA.org -Dawn Phenomenon). And in Type 3 diabetes little or no glucagon is produced.
In non-diabetics one could describe glucagon and insulin as Yin and Yang - they tend to balance one another in keeping the person's BSL in range. Presumably when one's own insulin release is absent or mistimed the balance goes out the window!!

I've just seen similiar in Wikipedia too.
Well it's just a theory of mine, just to my own bodies responses but Wikipedia most like is correct as I'm no medic nor scientist.
My liver is on overload at the moment. It's over secreting by the looks of my blood tests.
I'm trying to shrink it for my op but I don't think it's shrank yet. I live in hope. Only a small amount of sugar/glucose needs huge amounts of insulin, for me but my bgs can be perfect on a constant liver blocking diet. Now on 800 cals with sugar in powdered milkshakes, from milk and root veg. My basal insulin has reduced due to Dapagliflozin but not low calorie diet. My fast acting insulin hasn't reduced so much. My liver holds the key to my bgs being perfect as I'm currently not eating fatty proteins to block my liver's interventions so my bgs aren't as low.

 

[Lamont D]

I think it shows how incredibly complex diabetes is, like an onion which has more and more layers.
It would be interesting to study glucagon levels in those with RH as well.

I will have to come back to the glucagon response. When I have an overshoot, off my head, I think that the glucose/glucagon balance is imbalanced in both first and second insulin response.
The Gliptin I take does help with the imbalance and improve the initial insulin response and the imbalance. But again I think that if there is an imbalance in glucose/glucagon, there will be an imbalance in glycogen?
The omission of how alpha and beta cells are involved could have a bearing on the research, as does the hormonal response to carbs, protein and fats.
And not forgetting the gut biota. The good bacteria in our gut is essential in how our body responds to all forms of food. If we have too much bad bacteria, this will also create an imbalance in the response and the balance of every cell delivered to our blood.
Glucogenesis, glucodysregulation, hyperglucogonaemia, hyperinsulinaemia, hypoinsulinaemia, hyperglycaemia, hypoglycaemia, they just roll off the tongue!!!

 

[Lamont D]

Or the lack of its release when carbs are involved.
Totally agree all variations in the metabolism mechanics need greater understanding, to help all.

I've always wondered why steroids cause type2 temporarily. Does steroid increase production of glucagon ???? Does RH patients need a form of steroid to improve their health status?
What is the opposite of a steroid hormone for type2s? I believe in biology there is always a yin to the yang!

According to everything I've researched, RH is a hormonal imbalance, response and has not had the research in, if a genetic disorder is causing the problem of insulin overshoot. Nor the steroid theory!
Like T2, there are many causes of Hypoglycaemia.
I believe mine was the gut bacteria, heliocobacter pylori. But no proof!

But once I was diagnosed, the why was replaced by the need to get good control and not eat anything that was making me so ill!

 

[Geoffno6]

Interesting thread. I keep thinking that Diabetes is a massive problem for the world and we know so little about it.