Insulin and glucagon: partners for life

JJ Holst, W Holland, J Gromada, Y Lee… - …, 2017 - academic.oup.com
JJ Holst, W Holland, J Gromada, Y Lee, RH Unger, H Yan, KW Sloop, TJ Kieffer, N Damond
Endocrinology, 2017academic.oup.com
In August 2016, several leaders in glucagon biology gathered for the European Association
for the Study of Diabetes Hagedorn Workshop in Oxford, England. A key point of discussion
focused on the need for basal insulin to allow for the therapeutic benefit of glucagon
blockade in the treatment of diabetes. Among the most enlightening experimental results
presented were findings from studies in which glucagon receptor–deficient mice were
administered streptozotocin to destroy pancreatic β cells or had undergone diphtheria toxin …
Abstract
In August 2016, several leaders in glucagon biology gathered for the European Association for the Study of Diabetes Hagedorn Workshop in Oxford, England. A key point of discussion focused on the need for basal insulin to allow for the therapeutic benefit of glucagon blockade in the treatment of diabetes. Among the most enlightening experimental results presented were findings from studies in which glucagon receptor–deficient mice were administered streptozotocin to destroy pancreatic β cells or had undergone diphtheria toxin–induced β cell ablation. This article summarizes key features of the discussion as a consensus was reached. Agents that antagonize glucagon may be of great benefit for the treatment of diabetes; however, sufficient levels of basal insulin are required for their therapeutic efficacy.
Oxford University Press