glucagon level
- Glucagon is a blood sugar-raising hormone secreted by pancreatic α cells.maintains blood sugar homeostasis in a competitive manner with insulin.
- G-type mutation in DNA region rs4691991Research shows that people with ADHD tend to have higher glucagon levels
- glucagon measurementDiabetes/pancreatic disease/metabolic disordersis an important indicator for the diagnosis and management of
Overview Glucagon is a hormone produced by the alpha cells of the pancreas. It works to raise blood sugar levels and plays an important role in regulating blood sugar levels and glucose metabolism. Glucagon measurement characteristics refer to properties that describe how glucagon levels in the blood change under certain conditions. This measurement is usually done with a blood test and is measured in units such as picograms per milliliter (pg/mL). This includes not only the level of glucagon at a single time point, but also the pattern of glucagon release in different conditions, such as during fasting, after meals, and in response to hypoglycemia. Individual glucagon measurement characteristics may indicate a normal ability to rise during fasting to prevent hypoglycemia and return to normal values after meals. Conversely, abnormal features may indicate a problem with the body's ability to regulate glucose, such as diabetes, pancreatic tumors, or genetic mutations that affect glucagon secretion. Understanding individual glucagon measurement characteristics is important for the diagnosis and care of metabolic disorders and can improve our understanding of energy metabolism in the body. A study by Jonsson et al. at the University of Copenhagen revealed that glucagon levels are associated with a DNA region called rs4691991. There are three genotypes in this DNA region: GG, GC, and CC, and it was found that people with the G genotype tend to have high glucagon levels.
What is glucagon?
Glucagon is a peptide hormone secreted by the alpha (α) cells of the pancreas, and has the function of increasing blood sugar levels.It acts antagonistically with insulin and plays an essential role in maintaining blood sugar homeostasis.
Main functions and blood sugar regulation mechanisms of glucagon
Glucagon increases blood sugar levels when they drop using the following mechanism.
- Promotion of glycogen breakdown:Breaks down glycogen stored in the liver into glucose
- Promotion of gluconeogenesis:Newly synthesize glucose from amino acids and lactic acid
- Promote lipolysis:Increases free fatty acid release from adipose tissue
Significance of glucagon measurement
Measuring blood glucagon levels is used to evaluate the following conditions:
- Evaluation of fasting blood sugar regulation ability
- Confirmation of glucagon secretion pattern after meals
- Measuring response to hypoglycemia
- Diagnosis of pancreatic tumor (glucagonoma)
The normal value on an empty stomach is approx.50〜100 pg/mLIt decreases after meals and increases during hypoglycemia.
Diseases indicated by abnormal glucagon levels
| Abnormal type | Related diseases | Main symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| excessive secretion | glucagonoma, type 2 diabetes | Hyperglycemia, weight loss, skin erythema |
| lack of secretion | Certain genetic mutations after pancreatic resection | Increased risk of hypoglycemia |
| Abnormal reactivity | Type 1 diabetes, pancreatic dysfunction | Delayed recovery during hypoglycemia |
Difference between glucagon and insulin
| Comparison items | glucagon | insulin |
|---|---|---|
| secretory cells | pancreatic alpha cells | pancreatic beta cells |
| Effect on blood sugar | raise | lower |
| secretion stimulation | During hypoglycemia | During hyperglycemia |
| Effect on the liver | Promotion of glycogen breakdown | Promotion of glycogen synthesis |
| Effect on adipose tissue | Promote lipolysis | Promote fat synthesis |
Relationship between genes and glucagon levels
Relationship between DNA region rs4691991 and glucagon levels
A study by Jonsson et al. (2021) from the University of Copenhagen found that the DNA region rs4691991 was associated with glucagon levels.
- There are three genotypes of rs4691991: GG, GC, and CC.
- Genotype with type G mutationpeople tend to have higher glucagon levels
Genotype distribution in Japanese (rs4691991)
| Genotype | Percentage of Japanese people | percentage of the world |
|---|---|---|
| GG type | 6.0% | 41.7% |
| GC type | 37.0% | 45.7% |
| CC type | 56.9% | 12.5% |
Among Japanese people, the CC type (56.9%) is the most common, and the GG type (6.0%) is the minority. On the other hand, worldwide, the GC type (45.7%) is the most common, and there is a large difference in genotype distribution between Japan and the world.
Rationale for testing
Superficial DNA region: glucagon level
The gene region that most strongly influences glucagon levels is rs4691991. The distribution of isomorphic genotypes in Japan is as follows.
- GG
6.0 % - GC
37.0 % - CC
56.9 %
Basis for inspection
A study by Jonsson et al. at the University of Copenhagen revealed that glucagon levels are linked to genes. There is a region called rs4691991 in the human genome, and there are two types of mutations, G and C, in the gene in that region.People with the G-type mutation tend to have higher glucagon levels.I found out that there is.
The DNA region investigated this time
Schematic diagram of DNA map present in cells
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Related genes
| Related genes | MARCHF1 |
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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Q1. What is glucagon?
Glucagon is a peptide hormone secreted by the alpha (α) cells of the pancreas.When blood sugar levels drop, this medicine promotes glycogen decomposition in the liver and increases blood sugar levels. It acts antagonistically with insulin and plays an essential role in maintaining blood sugar homeostasis.
Q2. What is the relationship between glucagon levels and genes?
According to a study by Jonsson et al. (2021) from the University of Copenhagen,DNA region rs4691991 is associated with glucagon levelsIt turns out that. People with the G mutation genotype tend to have high glucagon levels.
Q3. What happens if glucagon levels are abnormal?
Abnormal glucagon levels are a sign of metabolic disorders.Excessive secretion worsens hyperglycemia and diabetes.causeInsufficient secretion increases the risk of hypoglycemiaIncrease. Blood glucagon levels are markedly elevated in pancreatic tumors (glucagonomas).
Q4. What is the normal level of glucagon?
The normal fasting blood glucagon level is approximately50〜100 pg/mLIt is. It usually decreases after meals and increases during hypoglycemia. Measured values vary depending on the testing method and facility, so evaluation at a medical institution is recommended.
References
- Reference link 1: 2021 Jan., Anna Jonsson, BMC Med Genomics