- Secreted by α cells (20% of cells, lie peripherally)
- Responds primarily to serum glucose concentration, but in a reciprocal fashion
- Glucose has a strong suppressive effect on glucagon secretion
- Polypeptide
- Increases BGL through catabolism, stimulation of
- Glycogenolysis
- Lipolysis
- Gluconeogenesis
- Major counter regulatory hormone to insulin
- Considered a stress hormone because it increases metabolic fuel in the form of glucose during stress
- Excess glucagon can lead to hyperglycaemia
- Insufficient glucagon can lead to profound hypoglycaemia
- Dysfunctional secretion of glucagon may play a role in the elevation of BGL in diabetes