Effect of fasting on alanine-stimulated insulin and glucagon secretion

The effect of a 5-day fast on glucose- and alanine-stimulated insulin and glucagon secretion was examined in the dog. As predicted from investigation of other species, prolonged fasting markedly inhibited glucogenic insulin secretion. In contrast, insulin and glucagon secretion after alanine challenge were unaltered by the prolonged fast. These data support the hypothesis that the physiologic response to this amino acid with fasting may be partially responsible for the regulation of insulin secretion in this state.