GLUCAGON CONTROL OF FASTING GLUCOSE IN MAN

Infusion of growth-hormone release inhibiting hormone (G.H.-R.I.H.) in four fasting subjects reduced plasma glucagon and insulin concentrations to undetectable levels and this was associated with a highly significant decline in plasma-glucose (28±S.E.M. 3 mg. per 100 ml. in 1 hour, p< 001). When plasma-glucagon was maintained by an exogenous infusion, at a level which did not itself significantly alter glucose or insulin concentrations, G.H.-R.I.H. administration resulted in a rise in the mean plasma-glucose (20±10 mg. per 100 ml.). It is concluded that, in man, glucagon plays an important part in the maintenance of fasting plasma-glucose

Massive prolactinoma with galactorrhoea in a prepubertal boy.

An 8 year old prepubertal boy presented with raised intracranial pressure, left proptosis and was noted to have galactorrhoea. Cranial computerized tomography revealed a large pituitary tumour infiltrating the cavernous sinus and left orbit. The serum prolactin was 180,600 mU/l (normal value less than 360 mU/l). Prolactinomas are rare in children and galactorrhoea has not previously been reported in a prepubertal child. The management of massive prolactinomas is difficult, but the child presented has made an impressive response to a combination of treatment with surgery, dopamine agonist therapy and radiotherapy