Cited by 242Pancreatic function and diabetesDiabetes Management and ResearchDiabetes Treatment and Management

Minireview: Glucagon in the Pathogenesis of Hypoglycemia and Hyperglycemia in Diabetes

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Cryer, Philip E.·2012·Endocrinology

Abstract

Pancreatic islet α-cell glucagon secretion is critically dependent on pancreatic islet β-cell insulin secretion. Normally, a decrease in the plasma glucose concentration causes a decrease in β-cell insulin secretion that signals an increase in α-cell glucagon secretion during hypoglycemia. In contrast, an increase in the plasma glucose concentration, among other stimuli, causes an increase in β-cell insulin secretion that signals a decrease, or at least no change, in α-cell glucagon secretion after a meal. In absolute endogenous insulin deficiency (i.e. in type 1 diabetes and in advanced type 2 diabetes), however, β-cell failure results in no decrease in β-cell insulin secretion and thus no increase in α-cell glucagon secretion during hypoglycemia and no increase in β-cell insulin secretion and thus an increase in α-cell glucagon secretion after a meal. In type 1 diabetes and advanced type 2 diabetes, the absence of an increment in glucagon secretion, in the setting of an absent decrement in insulin secretion and an attenuated increment in sympathoadrenal activity, in response to falling plasma glucose concentrations plays a key role in the pathogenesis of iatrogenic hypoglycemia. In addition, there is increasing evidence that, in the aggregate, suggests that relative hyperglucagonemia, in the setting of deficient insulin secretion, plays a role in the pathogenesis of hyperglycemia in diabetes. If so, abnormal glucagon secretion is involved in the pathogenesis of both hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia in diabetes.

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  • Glucagon is an important regulator of glucose balance and contributes to the development of high blood glucose in diabetes.

    “Besides insulin, glucagon is a major hormone in glucose homeostasis and plays a role in the pathogenesis of hyperglycaemia in diabetes (as reviewed by Cryer PE [35]).”
  • There is a paradoxical impairment of glucagon secretion during hypoglycemia in patients with diabetes.

    “Furthermore, there is a paradoxical impairment of glucagon secretion during hypoglycemia in patients with diabetes.”
  • The relative insulin excess increases glucose uptake and suppresses glucose production in the liver, despite the development of hypoglycemia.

    “The relative insulin excess increases glucose uptake and suppresses glucose production in the liver, despite the development of hypoglycemia.”
  • In individuals with T1D or prolonged type 2 diabetes (T2D), unregulated insulin release from subcutaneous depots or the sustained effects of sulfonylureas can result in elevated systemic insulin levels during hypoglycemia.

    “In individuals with T1D or prolonged type 2 diabetes (T2D), unregulated insulin release from subcutaneous depots or the sustained effects of sulfonylureas can result in elevated systemic insulin levels during hypoglycemia.”
  • Hormonal dysregulation has been identified as a significant factor contributing to the development of hypoglycemia unawareness syndrome.

    “Hormonal dysregulation has been identified as a significant factor contributing to the development of hypoglycemia unawareness syndrome.”

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Authors
Cryer, P. E.
Affiliations
Washington University in St. Louis (US)
Corresponding author
Cryer, Philip E.
Venue
Endocrinology
Published
2012-03-01
Volume
153
Issue
3
Pages
1039-1048
ISSN
  • 0013-7227 (ISSN-L)
  • 1945-7170
OpenAlex
W2041654060
Cited by
242
References
117
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 28 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 17 · 2016: 15 · 2015: 14 · 2014: 23 · 2013: 27 · 2012: 8
FWCI
3.27
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Endocrinology (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (5p60dk020579-35)
  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (R37DK027085, P60-DK20579, P60-DK-020579, P30DK020579, T32DK007120)
  • National Center for Research Resources (UL1RR024992, M01RR000036)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Pancreatic function and diabetes
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Diabetes Management and Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Diabetes Treatment and Management
Keywords
glucagon secretion, beta-cell insulin secretion, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, iatrogenic hypoglycemia, hyperglucagonemia, beta-cell failure, sympathoadrenal activity, glucose homeostasis
MeSH terms
Animals, Diabetes Mellitus, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2, Glucagon, Humans, Hyperglycemia, Hypoglycemia, Insulin, Models, Biological, Somatostatin, Glucagon-Secreting Cells, Mice, Rats

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