Effect of Ethanol Intoxication on the Anti-Hypoglycemic Action of Glucagon

Exclusion Criteria

• •* Unable to provide informed consent.
• •* Unable to comply with study procedures.
• •* Unable to refrain from the consumption of alcohol at least 24 hours prior to study start.
• •* Current participation in another diabetes-related clinical trial that, in the judgment of the principle investigator, will compromise the results of the clamp study or the safety of the subject.
• •* Pregnancy (positive urine HCG), breast feeding, plan to become pregnant in the immediate future, or sexually active without use of contraception.
• •* Aldehyde dehydrogenase deficiency as determined by a screening questionnaire
• •* End stage renal disease on dialysis (hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis).
• •* History of pheochromocytoma (because glucagon has been reported to precipitate hypertensive crisis in the setting of pheochromocytoma). Fractionated metanephrines will be tested in patients with a history increasing the risk for a catecholamine secreting tumor:
• •* Paroxysms of tachycardia, pallor, or headache. Personal or family history of MEN 2A, MEN 2B, neurofibromatosis, or von Hippel-Lindau disease, Episodic or treatment of refractory (requiring 4 or more medications to achieve normotension) hypertension.
• •* History of adverse reaction to glucagon (including allergy) besides nausea, vomiting, or headache.
• •* Inadequate venous access as determined by study nurse or physician at time of screening.
• •* Liver failure or cirrhosis
• •* Hemoglobin \< 12 gm/dl.
• •* History of problem drinking or alcoholism, regardless of whether active or in remission.
• •* Use of benzodiazepines or barbiturates or opiates or other central nervous system depressant drugs that could act synergistically with ethanol to lower the level of consciousness
• •* Any other factors that, in the judgment of the principal investigator, would interfere with the safe completion of the study procedures.