The effect of short-term glucagon infusion on kidney function in normal man

Summary Kidney function was studied in six normal males before and during a 2 h glucagon (10 ng/kg/min) infusion. The following variables were determined during each 20 min clearance period; glomerular filtration rate (GFR), renal plasma-flow (RPF), filtration fraction (FF), urinary albumin and₂-microglobulin-excretion rates. Glucagon infusion resulted in a fourfold increase in plasma glucagon concentration. The infusion induced a significant increase in GFR (+9%), FF (+ 9%) and urinary₂-microglobulin excretion rate (+ 32%), (p<0.01). RPF and urinary albumin excretion rates were not significantly changed. We suggest that glucagon may contribute to the reversible kidney function alterations typically found in poorly regulated juvenile diabetes, a state with relative or absolute hyperglucagonaemia.