In vivo assessment of the metabolic alterations in glucagonoma syndrome

Samuel Klein, Farook Jahoor, Hidefumi Baba, Courtney M. Townsend, Mary Shepherd, Robert R. Wolfe

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

32 Scopus citations

Abstract

Stable-isotope methodology and indirect calorimetry were used to evaluate metabolic abnormalities in a patient with glucagonoma syndrome manifested by 17% body weight loss, hypoaminoacidemia, and hyperglycemia. Energy expenditure (26 kcal/kg) was the same as that predicted by the Harris-Benedict equation. The rate of appearance (Ra) of intracellular leucine (2.70 μmol/kg/min), an index of protein breakdown, was normal, although the percentage of leucine flux oxidized (31%), an index of amino acid catabolism, was 50% greater than the normal mean value. Glucose Ra in plasma (12.9 μmol/kg/min), representing hepatic glucose production, and glycerol Ra in plasma (3.04 μmol/kg/min), a measurement of whole-body lipolysis, were 15% and 25% greater, respectively, than mean values found in normal volunteers. These results suggest that long-term alterations in energy, leucine, glucose, and lipid metabolism in patients with glucagonoma are minimal. However, small long-term metabolic alterations caused by glucagon excess, in conjunction with chronic negative energy balance, could be responsible for the weight loss, hypoaminoacidemia, and hyperglycemia observed in this patient population.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1171-1175
Number of pages5
JournalMetabolism
Volume41
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1992

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
  • Endocrinology

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