Effect of intravenous glucagon and glucagon-(1–21)-peptide on motor activity of sphincter of Oddi in humans

Glucagon-(1–21)-peptide, the peptide containing the amino acid sequence (1–21) of glucagon, has the same spasmolytic effect as the complete molecule, without its metabolic action. The effect of glucagon and glucagon-(1–21)-peptide on sphincter of Oddi motor activity was evaluated in 20 patients undergoing ERCP and endoscopic biliary manometry. Glucagon produced a nonsignificant decrease in basal pressure, but significantly reduced both frequency and amplitude of phasic activity of the sphincter of Oddi. Glucagon-(1–21)-peptide showed no effect on basal pressure and amplitude of phasic activity, but provoked a significant reduction of frequency of phasic contraction.