Abstract

Glucagon, a hormone secreted by the α -cells of the pancreatic islets, raises the blood sugar by releasing liver glycogen as glucose. The level of glucagon in the blood rises sharply when the blood sugar falls, suggesting that the hormone plays a part in the regulation of the blood sugar level. Eli Lilly have marketed glucagon for the treatment of insulin hypoglycaemia; the company deserves much credit for its scientific contribution in purifying and studying this hormone.