Pancreatic alpha-cell function in trauma.

Abstract

In a group of 20 consecutive patients hospitalized with severe traumatic shock, mean plasma glucagon levels averaged 328±65μμg/ml, significantly above the normal fasting levels. Insulin concentration was normal, and plasma glucose levels averaged 188 (±14) mg/100 ml, significantly above normal. Insulin-glucagon molar ratio was low in 17 of the 20 patients. In three patients undergoing major surgery without associated hypotension, glucagon concentrations did not rise comparably. Hyperglucagonemia without a proportional rise in insulin may be the usual islet cell response to severe trauma and possibly could contribute to survival.