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Clinical evaluation of glucagon and insulin in therapy of fulminant hepatitis

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Summary

Forty five patients were examined in order to evaluate the usefulness of glucagon and insulin as a therapy of fulminant hepatitis. Thirty patients were treated with simultaneous infusion of glucagon and insulin, whereas prednisolone was given at a daily dose of 60 to 90 mg in 15 cases. In the former group, 1 mg of glucagon and 10 units of regular insulin were infused over a period of 2 to 6 hours. Two such treatments were given per day in the early critical period of fulminant hepatitis. The therapeutic effect of glucagon and insulin was evaluated in comparison with that of prednisolone, and additionally, with a combination therapy of either blood exchange or plasmapheresis in both groups. The survival rate was superior in the group treated with glucagon and insulin (46%) and in the one with combined infusion of these hormones plus plasmapheresis (33%).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The First Department of Internal Medicine, Yamaguchi University School of Medicine, Ube, 755, Yamaguchi, Japan

    Kiwamu Okita M.D., Shoshi Matsuda M.D., Tetsuro Hanta M.D., Mitsuru Yasunaga M.D., Kazutoshi Sanuki M.D. & Tadayoshi Takemoto M.D.

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  1. Kiwamu Okita M.D.
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  2. Shoshi Matsuda M.D.
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  3. Tetsuro Hanta M.D.
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  4. Mitsuru Yasunaga M.D.
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  5. Kazutoshi Sanuki M.D.
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  6. Tadayoshi Takemoto M.D.
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Additional information

The Inuyama Symposium and the Fulminant Hepatitis Study Group were supported in part by a Grant-in-Aid from the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare.

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Okita, K., Matsuda, S., Hanta, T. et al. Clinical evaluation of glucagon and insulin in therapy of fulminant hepatitis. Gastroenterol Jpn 22, 607–613 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02776721

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02776721

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