Where is glucagon produced in the human body? Pancreatic glucagon: functions, mechanism of action, instructions for use. General information about the structure of the pancreas
The main hormones of the pancreas are insulin and glucagon. The mechanism of action of these biologically active substances is aimed at maintaining sugar balance in the blood.
For the normal functioning of the body, it is important to maintain the concentration of glucose (sugar) at a constant level. With each meal, when exposed to external factors, sugar levels change.
Insulin reduces the concentration of glucose by transporting it into cells, and also partially converting it into glycogen. This substance is deposited in the liver and muscles in reserve. Glycogen depot volumes are limited, and excess sugar (glucose) is partially converted into fat.
The task of glucagon is to convert glycogen into glucose. if its values are below normal. Another name for this substance is the "hormone of hunger."
The role of glucagon in the body, the mechanism of action
The brain, intestines, kidneys, liver are the main consumers of glucose. For example, central nervous system consumes 4 grams of glucose in 1 hour. Therefore, it is very important to constantly maintain its normal level.
Glycogen is a substance that is stored mainly in the liver, it is a store of about 200 grams. When glucose is deficient or when additional energy is needed ( physical exercise, running) glycogen breaks down, saturating the blood with glucose.
This storage lasts approximately 40 minutes. Therefore, in sports it is often said that fat is burned only after a half-hour workout, when all the energy in the form of glucose and glycogen has been used up.
The pancreas belongs to the glands of mixed secretion - it produces intestinal juice, which is secreted into the duodenum and secretes several hormones, so its tissue is anatomically and functionally differentiated. Alpha cells synthesize glucagon in the islets of Langerhans. The substance can be synthesized by other cells of the gastrointestinal tract.
Several factors come into play:
- Decrease in glucose concentration to critically low levels.
- insulin level.
- An increase in the content of amino acids in the blood (in particular, alanine and arginine).
- Excessive physical activity (for example, during active or hard training).
The functions of glucagon are associated with other important biochemical and physiological processes:
- increased blood circulation in the kidneys;
- maintaining optimal electrolyte balance by increasing the rate of sodium excretion, which improves the activity of the cardiovascular system;
- restoration of liver tissue;
- activation of the release of cellular insulin;
- increase in calcium content in cells.
In a stressful situation, the physiological effects of glucagon appear. He actively breaks down glycogen thereby increasing glucose levels, activates the flow of oxygen to provide the muscles with additional energy. To maintain sugar balance, glucagon actively interacts with cortisol and somatotropin.
Enhanced Level
Increased secretion of glucagon is associated with hyperfunction of the pancreas, which is caused by the following pathologies:
- tumors in the alpha cell zone (glucagonoma);
- spicy inflammatory process in the tissues of the pancreas (pancreatitis);
- destruction of liver cells (cirrhosis);
- chronic renal failure;
- type 1 diabetes mellitus;
- Cushing's syndrome.
Any stressful situations(including operations, injuries, burns), acute hypoglycemia (low glucose concentration), the predominance of protein foods in the diet cause an increase in glucagon levels, and the functions of most physiological systems are impaired.
Reduced level
Glucagon deficiency occurs after surgery to remove the pancreas (pancreatectomy). The hormone is a kind of stimulator for the entry of necessary substances into the blood and maintaining homeostasis. A reduced level of the hormone is observed in cystic fibrosis (a genetic pathology associated with damage to the external secretion glands), pancreatitis in a chronic form.
Analyzes - the norm - how to pass
The condition when glucagon is formed in excess has serious consequences. There is a supersaturation of the body with glucose, fatty acids. Isolated cases are not dangerous, but frequent increases in the concentration of the hormone cause tachycardia, hypertension, and other cardiac pathologies. The risk of developing malignant neoplasms is the most serious complication.
A lack of glucagon for a long time leads to a decrease in efficiency, dizziness, clouding of consciousness, tremors of the limbs, convulsions, weakness, and nausea.
For hormone analysis take venous blood sampling. To get reliable results, you need to properly prepare for it:
- Refrain from eating 10-12 hours before the examination.
- Avoid taking insulin, catecholamines and other medicines that affect performance. If the medication cannot be canceled, this is indicated in the direction for analysis.
- Before taking blood, the patient needs to lie down and relax for 30 minutes.
pharmachologic effect
In medicine, synthetic glucagon is used for therapeutic purposes in severe forms of hypoglycemia and related pathological conditions. A substance similar to glucagon is used to treat type 2 diabetes. For diagnostic purposes, the drug is in demand in the study of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract.
Hormone-based drugs are prescribed by doctors. pharmachologic effect glucagon is directed to:
- increase in glucose concentration;
- removal of spasms of the muscular system;
- change in the number of heartbeats.
Indications for the use of the medicinal product
The effect of the hormone on the concentration of glucose and glycogen is used to treat various pathologies. Indications for the use of the drug are as follows:
- severe hypoglycemia, when glucose cannot be administered using a drip;
- suppression of motility of the gastrointestinal tract during radiodiagnosis;
- patients with mental disorders as a shock therapy;
- acute diverticulitis (inflammation of the intestines with the formation of sac-like protrusions);
- pathology of the biliary tract;
- to relax the smooth muscles of the intestine.
Contraindications
The drug glucagon is contraindicated in certain diseases:
- hypersensitivity to the components of the drug;
- hyperglycemia (high concentration of glucose in the blood);
- insulinoma (benign, rarely malignant, tumor of the islets of Langerhans of the pancreas);
- pheochromocytoma (a hormonally active neoplasm that provokes increased secretion of catecholamines).
Glucagon or the "hunger hormone" is secreted by the pancreas. It is an insulin antagonist and takes an active part in maintaining blood sugar balance. Deficiency and deficiency of the hormone causes various pathologies.
Almost all processes in the human body are regulated by biologically active compounds that are constantly formed in a chain of complex biochemical reactions. These include hormones, enzymes, vitamins, etc. Hormones are biologically active substances that, in very small doses, can significantly affect metabolism and vitality. important features. They are produced by endocrine glands. Glucagon and insulin are pancreatic hormones that take part in metabolism and are antagonists of each other (that is, they are substances that have opposite effects).
General information about the structure of the pancreas
The pancreas consists of 2 functionally different parts:
- exocrine (occupies approximately 98% of the mass of the organ, is responsible for digestion, pancreatic enzymes are produced here);
- endocrine (located mainly in the tail of the gland, hormones are synthesized here that affect carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, digestion, etc.).
Pancreatic islets are evenly distributed throughout the endocrine part (they are also called the islets of Langerhans). It is in them that the cells that produce various hormones are concentrated. These cells are of several types:
- alpha cells (they produce glucagon);
- beta cells (synthesize insulin);
- delta cells (produce somatostatin);
- PP cells (pancreatic polypeptide is produced here);
- epsilon cells (the "hunger hormone" ghrelin is formed here).
For the normal functioning of the body, all hormones must be formed in sufficient quantities. Despite the fact that insulin and glucagon influence the breakdown and production of glucose most of all, these two hormones are not enough for a full-fledged carbohydrate metabolism. Other substances also take part in the biochemical reactions that ensure this process - somatotropin, cortisol and adrenaline.
How is insulin synthesized and what is its function?
Insulin is formed in the beta cells of the pancreas, but first its precursor, proinsulin, is formed there. By itself, this connection does not play a special role. biological role, but under the action of enzymes, it turns into a hormone. The synthesized insulin is reabsorbed by beta cells and released into the blood at those moments when it is needed.
A small amount of proinsulin (no more than 5%) always circulates in the human bloodstream, the rest of the mass fraction falls on the active form of insulin.
Pancreatic beta cells can divide and regenerate, but this happens only in a young body. If this mechanism is disrupted and these functional elements die, a person develops type 1 diabetes mellitus. With a type 2 disease, insulin can be synthesized quite enough, but due to disturbances in carbohydrate metabolism, tissues cannot adequately respond to it, and an increased level of this hormone is required for the absorption of glucose. In this case, we speak of the formation of insulin resistance.
- lowers blood glucose levels;
- activates the process of splitting adipose tissue, therefore, with diabetes, a person gains excess weight very quickly;
- stimulates the formation of glycogen and unsaturated fatty acids in the liver;
- inhibits the breakdown of proteins in muscle tissue and prevents the formation of an excessive amount of ketone bodies;
- promotes the formation of glycogen in the muscles due to the absorption of amino acids.
Insulin is responsible not only for the absorption of glucose, it maintains the normal functioning of the liver and muscles. Without this hormone, the human body cannot exist, therefore, with type 1 diabetes insulin is injected. When this hormone enters from the outside, the body begins to break down glucose with the help of the liver and muscle tissues, which gradually leads to a decrease in blood sugar levels. It is important to be able to calculate the required dose of the drug and correlate it with the food taken so that the injection does not provoke hypoglycemia.
Functions of glucagon
In the human body, the polysaccharide glycogen is formed from glucose residues. It is a kind of depot of carbohydrates and in in large numbers stored in the liver. Part of the glycogen is in the muscles, but there it practically does not accumulate, but is immediately spent on the formation of local energy. Small doses of this carbohydrate can be in the kidneys and brain.
Glucagon acts in the opposite way to insulin - it causes the body to use glycogen stores, synthesizing glucose from it. Accordingly, at the same time, blood sugar levels increase, which stimulates the production of insulin. The ratio of these hormones is called the insulin-glucagon index (it changes during digestion).
For normal life, a person needs a hormonal balance without excesses in one direction or another.
Glucagon also performs the following functions:
- lowers the level of cholesterol in the blood;
- restores liver cells;
- increases the amount of calcium inside the cells of different tissues of the body;
- enhances blood circulation in the kidneys;
- indirectly ensures the normal functioning of the heart and blood vessels;
- accelerates the excretion of sodium salts from the body and maintains the overall water-salt balance.
Glucagon is involved in the biochemical reactions of converting amino acids into glucose. It speeds up this process, although it is not included in this mechanism itself, that is, it acts as a catalyst. If the body produces an excessive amount of glucagon for a long time, it is theoretically believed that this can lead to a dangerous disease - pancreatic cancer. Fortunately, this disease is extremely rare, the exact cause of its development is still unknown.
Although insulin and glucagon are antagonists, the normal functioning of the body is impossible without these two substances. They are interconnected, and their activity is additionally regulated by other hormones. The overall health and well-being of a person depends on how balanced these endocrine systems function.
Last update: April 18, 2018
The pancreas is an important secretory organ in the human body. It is in it that hormones such as insulin and glucagon are synthesized. These substances control glucose levels and ensure the normal functioning of all organs and tissues. The hormone glucagon has the opposite effect to insulin. Preparations based on it are actively used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.
Description
The hormone was discovered in 1923, 2 years after the discovery of insulin. However, at that time, scientists did not yet know about the important role that this substance plays in the human body. It took experts decades of research to appreciate the importance of the hormone.
The hormone is synthesized by the alpha cells of the pancreas. The substance stimulates the release of glucose into the blood. In addition, the hormone is responsible in the body for the following processes:
- Reduces cholesterol levels.
- Increases plasma flow to the kidneys.
- Removes excess sodium.
- Promotes the restoration of liver tissue.
- It provokes the release of insulin.
Glucagon is also an associate of adrenaline. It is glucagon functions that are responsible for an instant increase in glucose levels in extreme situations. Thanks to this, the muscles receive the necessary nutrition to respond to the adrenaline rush with action.
Indication for analysis
Most often, a study on the level of the hormone in the blood is prescribed to patients with suspected severe lack of blood sugar. Also indications for the study may be:
- Severe weight loss for unknown reasons.
- Migratory skin rash.
- Suspicion of diabetes.
- Tumor suspicion.
The study of glucagon is not included in the standard blood test. For this reason, the analysis is carried out only in the direction of a doctor. Also, together with the content of the hormone, it is necessary to determine the level of sugar in the blood and the amount of insulin in the plasma. It is these three indicators that can show the picture of the disease. After receiving unsatisfactory results of the analysis, the patient is most often prescribed such additional examinations pancreas. An endocrinologist or oncologist can send for analysis.
Norms and deviations
The main concentration of the hormone is in the liver. For this reason, only a small amount is found in the blood. For a healthy person, the norm is up to 152 pg / ml. The level of the hormone can both decrease and decrease for various reasons.
Not always an increase in indicators indicates the presence of serious diseases. The following factors can influence the level of the hormone upward:
- Unbalanced diet with a predominance of protein foods.
- Serious physical activity.
Pathological causes of an increase in a substance in the blood include the following diseases:
- Diabetes.
- Tumor of the pancreas.
- Pancreatitis in acute form.
- Pathology of the liver.
- Cushing's disease.
- Pathology of the kidneys.
Besides high level The hormone is observed in any injuries, stressful conditions, burns, operations, etc. A decrease in the concentration of the hormone can signal the presence of the following pathologies in the body:
- Pancreatitis in a chronic form.
- Cystic fibrosis.
In addition, a low level of the substance is observed in patients who have undergone removal of the pancreas.
Normalization of indicators
In some cases, hormone levels can be stabilized with diet. This method of treatment is possible only when the cause of the deviations was malnutrition. To raise the level, you need to include more protein foods in the diet. Also, people with low hormone levels are prescribed physiotherapy, after all, when playing sports, the amount of a substance in the blood increases.
To reduce, on the contrary, the proteins in the diet need to be reduced. Also, the level of the hormone should be monitored by athletes and people engaged in hard physical work. Their levels are often elevated. In this case, you need to revise the load schedule, rest more and not overstrain.
Synthetic hormone
Glucagon preparations are made from the pancreas of pigs and cows. It is in these animals that the hormone is identical to the human one, which makes it possible to use it for medical purposes. Today, preparations of this hormone are actively used to treat many diseases.
Indications for the use of the drug
Synthetic drug glucagon is used for the following deviations:
- Mental illness (as shock therapy).
- Diabetes mellitus with low blood glucose.
- Spasms in acute diverculitis.
- Diseases of the biliary tract.
- Spasms of the intestines and stomach.
In addition, a synthetic analogue of the hormone is used to prepare the patient for instrumental examinations of the upper and lower intestines. It is especially important to use the drug before x-rays and radiation therapy.
Contraindications for use
- Pheochromocytoma.
- Individual intolerance to the components of the drug.
- Elevated blood glucose.
- insulinoma.
- Children younger age whose weight is less than 25 kg.
Dosage and schedule
For patients with low glucose levels, the drug is prescribed in an amount of 1 milligram intramuscularly or intravenously. This introduction is used to provide emergency care with a critical decrease in sugar. A noticeable improvement in the patient's condition is observed already a few minutes after the injection. For children, the drug is administered only under the supervision of a physician. In this case, the recommended dose is divided into 2-3 injections. The injection is administered after 10-15 minutes. After stabilization of the acute condition, patients are advised to eat and drink sweet tea. After that, you need to rest for 2 hours.
In other cases of glucagon therapy, the dosage and route of administration of the drug is determined by the attending physician.
Self-administration of the drug is strictly prohibited!
The use of the drug in pregnant women is possible, but only on the recommendation of a doctor and in an individual dosage. During lactation, the use of the drug is possible only in emergency cases. In this case, the child should be transferred to artificial feeding for a certain period.
The hormonal background of a person is an indicator of his health. With any deviation in the level of one of the hormones, various diseases inevitably develop. In order not to provoke the development of pathologies and stay healthy until old age, you must first of all lead a healthy lifestyle. Sports and good nutrition are the key to the health of each of us. In addition, the prevention of hormonal disorders includes the mandatory regular testing.
In contact with
Everyone knows that the human body is a well-oiled mechanism that works to the nearest second. Hormones play a big role in this. The central nervous system sends electrical impulses to vital organs. Endocrine system, in turn, secretes glucagon, insulin and other necessary hormones for the continuous maintenance of the body's vital functions.
The endo- and exocrine systems are parts of the primary gut. In order for the food that enters the human body to be broken down into proteins, carbohydrates and fats, the full functioning of the exocrine system is necessary. After all, it is she who produces 98% of the digestive juice, which contains enzymes that break down food. The functions of hormones are also in the regulation of all metabolic processes occurring in the body.
Major pancreatic hormones:
- Insulin;
- Glucagon;
- C is a peptide.
- Hormone Functions
The main pancreatic hormones, namely insulin and glucagon, are quite closely related. Insulin in the body ensures the stability of glucose as well as essential amino acids to maintain health in the human body. Glucagon is a kind of stimulant. He connects everything useful material and sends them to the blood.
Insulin can only be produced when there is a high level of glucose in the blood. The function of insulin is to bind receptors on the surface of cell membranes and quickly deliver them to the cell itself. During this step, glucose is converted to glycogen.
Interestingly, not all human organs require insulin as a store of glucose. The brain, intestines, liver and kidneys are able to absorb glucose regardless of the content of insulin in their cells.
If insulin is in excess in the pancreas, then this can provoke the occurrence of hyperglycemia. This is a rather dangerous disease, the consequences of which are convulsions and clinical death.
Insufficient content of the hormone insulin in the pancreas leads to diabetes. If this disease is not diagnosed in time, then a fatal outcome is possible.
The role of glucagon in the body
It is glucagon that is responsible for the formation of glucose in the liver, as well as for its sufficient content in human blood. In order for the human central nervous system to function normally, it is necessary to maintain a constant concentration of glucose in the blood - about 4 grams per hour should enter the central nervous system.
Another function of glucagon is to stimulate the breakdown of lipids in adipose tissue, which significantly lowers blood cholesterol levels. Also, do not lose sight of the fact that glucagon contributes to:
- Increased blood flow in the kidneys;
- Increases the rate of sodium excretion from human organs, maintaining a normal electrolytic ratio in the body. And this important factor in the work of the cardiovascular system;
- Regeneration of liver cells;
- Stimulation of the release of insulin from the cells of the body;
- Increase in intracellular calcium content
An excess of glucagon in the blood leads to the formation of a malignant tumor of the pancreas. But, this disease is quite rare - about 30 people out of 1000.
If we logically evaluate the functions of these two hormones - insulin and glucagon, it turns out that the actions they perform in the body are diametrically opposed. That is why other vital hormones - adrenaline, cortisol and somatotropin - are also involved in maintaining blood glucose levels.
Regulation of glucagon secretion
Increasing the intake of protein foods contributes to an increase in the concentrations of amino acids - alanine and arginine. These amino acids stimulate the secretion of glucagon in the blood, so the importance of a stable supply of amino acids to the human body through proper nutrition cannot be underestimated.
Glucagon acts as a catalyst that converts amino acids into glucose. Thus, its concentration in the blood increases, respectively - absolutely all tissues and cells of the body are supplied with hormones necessary for their full-fledged work.
The secretion of glucagon, in addition to amino acids, is stimulated by active physical activity. But, surprisingly, they must be carried out at the limit of human effort. It is in this case that the concentration of glucagon increases up to 5 times.
Pharmacological action of glucagon
The hormone glucagon reduces spasms, changes the number of heartbeats, increases the concentration of glucose in the body due to the breakdown of glycogen and the formation of this substance through the combination of other organic elements.
Indications for the use of the medicinal product
Glucagon is prescribed to patients with:
- Mental disorders - to provide shock therapy;
- Diabetes mellitus, in which the concomitant diagnosis is hypoglycemia (low blood sugar);
- For laboratory and instrumental studies of the gastrointestinal tract as an auxiliary drug;
- To eliminate spasm in case of acute diverticulitis;
- Pathology of the biliary tract;
- To relax the smooth muscles of the abdomen and intestines.
Instructions for use of glucagon
To use the hormone for medicinal purposes, it is obtained from the pancreas of animals such as a bull or a pig. Interestingly, the sequence of connecting amino acids in the chain in these animals and humans is absolutely identical.
With hypoglycemia, 1 milligram of glucagon is prescribed intravenously or intramuscularly. If you need to provide emergency assistance, then use these methods of administering the drug. Compliance with the exact instructions for the use of the hormone glucagon shows that improvement in a patient with reduced level blood sugar comes in 10 minutes. This will reduce the risk of damage to the central nervous system.
It is forbidden to administer the hormone glucagon to children weighing up to 25 kg. Babies are given a dose of up to 500 mg and look at the state of the body for 10-15 minutes. After, increase the dose by 30 mcg. If the reserves of the hormone glucagon in the liver are depleted, then it is necessary to increase the dose of the drug several times. Self-prescribe the drug is prohibited.
As soon as the patient's condition improves, it is recommended to eat protein foods, drink sweet warm tea and take a horizontal position for 2 hours to avoid relapse. If the use of glucagon fails, intravenous glucose is recommended. Side effects after the use of glucagon, these are the urge to gag reflex and nausea.
For the full functioning of the human body, the coordinated work of all its organs is necessary. A lot of this depends on the production of hormones and their sufficient content.
One of the organs responsible for the synthesis of hormones is the pancreas. It produces several types of hormones, including glucagon. What are its functions in the human body?
Pancreatic hormones
In case of violations in the work of the human body, various factors must be taken into account. They can be external and internal. Among the internal factors that can provoke the development of pathological changes, one can name an excess or deficiency of hormones of a certain type.
To fix the problem, you need to know which gland produces this or that type of compound in order to take the necessary measures.
The pancreas produces several types of hormones. The main one is insulin. It is a polypeptide that contains 51 amino acids. With insufficient or excessive formation of this hormone in the human body, deviations occur. Its normal values range from 3 to 25 mcU/ml. In children, its level is slightly reduced, in pregnant women it may increase.
Insulin is needed to reduce the amount of sugar. It activates the absorption of glucose by muscle and adipose tissue, ensuring its conversion into glycogen.
In addition to insulin, the pancreas is responsible for the synthesis of hormones such as:
- C-peptide. It is not a complete hormone. In fact, it is one of the elements of proinsulin. It separates from the main molecule and ends up in the blood. C-peptide is the equivalent of insulin, the amount of which can be used to diagnose pathologies in the liver and pancreas. It also indicates the development of diabetes.
- Glucagon. In its action, this hormone is opposite to insulin. Its feature is an increase in sugar levels. This is achieved through its effect on the liver, which stimulates the production of glucose. Glucagon also breaks down fats.
- Pancreatic polypeptide. This hormone has been recently discovered. It reduces the consumption of bile and digestive enzymes, which is provided by the regulation of the activity of the muscles of the gallbladder.
- Somatostatin. It affects the work of other pancreatic hormones and enzymes. Under its influence, the amount of glucagon, hydrochloric acid and gastrin decreases, and the process of absorption of carbohydrates slows down.
In addition to these hormones, the pancreas also produces others. The activity of the body and the risk of developing pathologies depend on how much their number corresponds to the norm.
Functions of glucagon in the body
To better understand the role of glucagon in the human body, it is necessary to consider its functions.
This hormone affects the work of the central nervous system, which depends on the constancy of the concentration of glucose in the blood. Glucose is produced by the liver, and glucagon is involved in this process. He also regulates its amount in the blood. Thanks to its action, the breakdown of lipids occurs, which helps to reduce the amount of cholesterol. But these are not the only functions of this hormone.
In addition to them, it performs the following actions:
- stimulates blood flow in the kidneys;
- promotes the excretion of sodium, normalizing the activity of the cardiovascular system;
- restores liver cells;
- increases the content of calcium inside the cells;
- supplies the body with energy by breaking down lipids;
- normalizes cardiac activity, affecting the pulse rate;
- raises the pressure.
Its effect on the body is considered to be the opposite of that of insulin.
The chemical nature of the hormone
The biochemistry of this compound is also very important for a full understanding of its significance. It arises from the activity of the alpha cells of the islets of Langenhans. It is also synthesized by other parts of the gastrointestinal tract.
Glucagon is a single chain type polypeptide. It contains 29 amino acids. Its structure is similar to insulin, but it contains some amino acids that are absent in insulin (tryptophan, methionine). But cystine, isoleucine and proline, which are present in insulin, are not in glucagon.
This hormone is formed from pre-glucagon. The process of its production depends on the amount of glucose that enters the body during meals. Stimulation of its production belongs to arginine and alanine - with an increase in their number in the body, glucagon is formed more intensively.
With excessive physical activity its quantity can also increase sharply. Insulin also affects its content in the blood.
Mechanism of action
The main target of this compound is the liver. Under its influence, glycogenolysis is carried out in this organ first, and a little later - ketogenesis and gluconeogenesis.
This hormone cannot itself penetrate into the liver cells. To do this, he has to interact with receptors. When glucagon interacts with the receptor, adenylate cyclase is activated, which contributes to the production of cAMP.
As a result, the process of splitting glycogen begins. This indicates the body's need for glucose, so it actively enters the blood during glycogenolysis. Another option is to synthesize it from other substances. This is called gluconeogenesis.
It is also an inhibitor of protein synthesis. Its effect is often accompanied by a weakening of the process of glucose oxidation. The result is ketogenesis.
This compound does not affect the glycogen contained in skeletal muscle, due to the absence of receptors in them.
Its physiological antagonist is insulin. Therefore, its action is most intense when there is a lack of insulin. This hormone begins to be actively produced with an increased content of glucagon in the body in order to prevent the development of hyperglycemia.
An increase in the number of cAMP caused by glucagon leads to an inotropic and chronotropic effect on the myocardium. As a result, a person's blood pressure rises, and heart contractions increase and become more frequent. This ensures the activation of blood circulation and the nourishment of tissues with nutrients.
A large amount of this compound causes an antispasmodic effect. Human smooth muscles relax internal organs. This is most pronounced in relation to the intestines.
Glucose, keto acids and fatty acids are energy substrates. Under the influence of glucagon, they are released, due to which they are made available to the muscles of the skeleton. Thanks to the active blood flow, these substances are better distributed throughout the body.
What leads to an excess and deficiency of the hormone in the body?
The most basic effect of the hormone is an increase in the number of glucose and fatty acids. Whether this is good or bad depends on how much glucagon is synthesized.
In the presence of deviations, it begins to be produced in large quantities - such that it is dangerous for the development of complications. But too little of its content, caused by malfunctions in the body, leads to adverse consequences.
Excessive production of this compound leads to a supersaturation of the body with fatty acids and sugar. Otherwise, this phenomenon is called hyperglycemia. A single case of its occurrence is not dangerous, but systematic hyperglycemia leads to the development of disorders. It may be accompanied by tachycardia and constant growth blood pressure leading to hypertension and heart disease.
Too active movement of blood through the vessels can cause their premature wear, which causes vascular disease.
But the most dangerous is the likelihood of developing cancer cells. An excess of glucagon can provoke this phenomenon. The pancreas is especially vulnerable in this case.
With an abnormally low amount of this hormone, the human body experiences a lack of glucose, which leads to hypoglycemia. This condition is also among the dangerous and pathological, because it can cause a lot of unpleasant symptoms.
These include:
- nausea;
- dizziness;
- tremor;
- low performance;
- weakness;
- clouding of consciousness;
- convulsions.
In especially severe cases the patient may die.
Video material on the effect of glucagon on human weight:
Based on this, we can say that, despite many useful features, the content of glucagon in the body should not go beyond the norm.