Specific biologic effects of intestinal glucagon-like materials.

It has been demonstrated that gastrointestinal extracts contain substances which react immunologically with antibodies prepared to pancreatic glucagon. These extracts have been termed intestinal GLI for glucagon-like immunoreactivity, or enteroglucagon. To determine whether GLI has specific biological effects, studies were designed using the criterion of effect with antiglucagon antibodies. These antibodies did not cross-react with either secretin or pancreozymin. Rat intestinal extracts were prepared and filtered on Sephadex G-50 columns eluted in 0.02 M ammonium carbonate buffer pH 8.8. Two peaks of GLI (I, II) were consistently found, and the in vitro effects of these peaks on two biological systems were tested: (a) immunoreactive insulin (IRI) release by rat pancreas pieces, and (b) free fatty acid (FFA) release and 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels in adipose tissue. Both GLI peaks increased IRI release in the absence of glucose and also enhanced the glucose effects. Antiglucagon antibody suppressed only peak II GLI activity. Both peaks increased FFA release and cAMP levels in adipose tissue. Only peak II GLI activity was suppressed by antibody. These findings support a specific IRI-releasing and lipolytic action for Peak II GLI. Hypotheses are presented concerning the structure and possible physiologic role of peak II GLI.