As a counterregulatory hormone for insulin, glucagon plays a critical role in maintaining
glucose homeostasis in vivo. It is well known that intramuscular glucagon administration
stimulates growth hormone (GH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol release in
humans. Recently, it has been shown that glucagon induces a remarkable decrease in ghrelin
levels. The mechanisms underlying this effect are unclear and the role of changes in glucose,
insulin, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and catecholamines are widely discussed. The aim of
the present study is to further evaluate the effect of glucagon on ghrelin secretion and the
possible role of the above mentioned factors in mediating this effect.