Glucagon: is secreted when “Glucose is GONE”

Peptide hormone made of 29 amino acids. MW: 3485 Has several functions that are dramatically

opposite to Insulin One injection of purified glucagon can have profound Hyperglycemic effects! Therefore, it is also called the HYPERGLYCEMIC HORMONE!

SYNTHESIS: in the alpha cells of the Islets of Langerhans.

Preproglucagon (158 AA)↓

Glucagon + Major proglucagon fragment(in the alpha cells)

Circulates without binding to carrier proteins.

Plasma half-life: 5 minutes 25% of the Glucagon is destroyed

during passage through the Liver. Glucagon also degraded by the kidneys

& the plasma peptides.

The physiological role of Glucagon is to stimulate hepatic production & secretion of glucose. It

accomplishes this by:1. Glycogenolysis

2. Increased Gluconeogenesis

NOTE: Muscle DOES NOT respond to Glucagon. It exerts its effects on the Liver and Adipose

tissues.

Glucagon activates adenylyl cyclase in the hepatic cell membrane

↓Formation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)

↓Protein kinase regulator protein is activated

↓Protien kinase is activated

↓Phosphorylase b kinase is activated

↓Phosphorylase b is converted into phosphorylase a

↓Promotes degradation of Glycogen into Glucose-1-phosphate

↓Glucose-1-phosphate is dephosphorylated

↓Glucose is released from the liver

It increases the rate of amino acid uptake by the liver cells.

It then stimulates the conversion of many amino acids to Glucose.

↓This is achieved by activating many enzymes required for AA transport &

gluconeogenesis.

It activates adipose cell lipase→ increased quantities of fatty acids are made available.

It inhibits storage of TG in the liver → this prevents the liver from removing fatty acids from the blood!

It increases the blood flow in some tissues such as kidneys.

Enhances bile secretion. Inhibits gastric acid secretion.

Increased blood glucose concentration is the most potent factor: It INHIBITS Glucagon secretion

Increased amino acids stimulate Glucagon secretion (same effect as on INSULIN!)

Decrease in fatty acid levels stimulate Glucagon secretion (opposite to the effect on Insulin).

Somatostatin inhibits Glucagon & Insulin secretion

Exhaustive exercise stimulates Glucagon secretion

Glucagon release is stimulated by plasma amino acids. This pathway prevents hypoglycemia after ingestion of a pure protein meal.

If a meal contains protein but no carbohydrate, amino acids absorbed from the food cause insulin secretion. Even though no glucose has been absorbed, insulin-stimulated glucose uptake increases, and plasma glucose concentrations fall.

Unless something counteracts this process, the brain’s fuel supply is threatened by hypoglycemia. Co-secretion of glucagon in this situation prevents hypoglycemia by stimulating hepatic glucose output.

As a result, although only amino acids were ingested, both glucose and amino acids are made available to peripheral tissues.

Figure 21-14: Endocrine response to hypoglycemia

Over-riding concern is glucose homeostasis :

– must maintain sufficient levels for use by brain

– other tissues adjust to other energy sources as necessary.

Insulin is known as the “Hormone of Feasting”, while Glucagon is known

as the “Hormone of Fasting”.

Glycogen Glucose Pyruvate

Muscle: Fed State

Glucose from circulation

(Active muscle)

(Inactive muscle)

Glycogen Glucose Pyruvate

Muscle: Fasting State

Acetyl CoAFatty Acids and Ketone Bodiesfrom Circulation

1st uses own glycogen stores2nd absorbs fatty acids and ketone bodies

Glycogen Glucose Pyruvate

Liver: Fed State

Glucose from circulation

Acetyl CoAFatty Acids released to Circulation

Glycogen Glucose Pyruvate

Adipose: Fed State

Glucose from circulation

Acetyl CoAFatty Acids

Fatty Acids fromCirculation

Triacylglycerol(Fat)

Glycogen Glucose Pyruvate

Adipose: Fasting State

Acetyl CoAFatty Acidsand glycerol

Fatty Acids and glycerolreleased to circulation

Triacylglycerol(Fat)

Secreted by the Delta cells of Islets of Langerhans

Polypeptide containing only 14 AA Extremely short half life of 3 minutes All matters related to food ingestion

increase its secretion:-increased blood Glucose-increased fatty acids-increased amino acids-increased concentrations

of GI hormones

It has paracrine function locally within the Islets of langerhans where it depresses the secretion of both Insulin & Glucagon

It decreases the motility of stomach, duodenum & gall bladder

It decreases both secretion & absorption in the GIT

Principal role is to extend the period of time over which the food nutrients are absorbed

into the blood by slowing its passage through the GIT!