The inhibitory effect of cadmium on the secretory activity of the isolated perfused rat pancreas

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Perfusion of the isolated rat pancreas with cadmium (Cd) (1 × 10 −3 and 5 × 10 −4 m) inhibits the insulin secretory response to glucose (300 mg/100 ml), tolbutamide (40 mg/100 ml), and potassium ions (30 mEq/liter). Cadmium inhibition of pancreatic secretory activity is immediate in onset, and not reversed by simple washout of the organ with perfusion medium. Perfusion of the inhibited organ with a combination of glucose and theophylline results in partial reversal of the inhibition. It is suspected that Cd-induced inhibition of insulin secretion may be mediated through interference with calcium uptake by the pancreatic beta cell.