Importantly, insulin secretion is suppressed in this fasted state and glucagon secretion is increased.
Others believe deficiencies in glucagon secretion might lead to reactive hypoglycemia.
While beta cells respond to rising glucose levels by secreting insulin, alpha cells respond by reducing glucagon secretion.
Furthermore, glibenclamide diminishes the glucagon secretion in reaction to hypoglycemia, whereas glimepiride does not suppress this counter-regulatory reaction.
GLP-1 also reduces glucagon secretion from pancreatic alpha cells, resulting in a reduction in hepatic glucose output.
So, this proves that insulin is a β-cell product that reciprocally regulates the α-cell glucagon secretion.
Heightened glucagon secretion can be treated with the administration of octreotide, a somatostatin analog, which inhibits the release of glucagon.
If injected to treat hyperglycemia it stimulates insulin production and inhibits glucagon secretion in the pancreas.
Liraglutide also decreases glucagon secretion in a glucose-dependent manner.
It is a potent antihyperglycemic hormone, inducing glucose-dependent stimulation of insulin secretion while suppressing glucagon secretion.