Nutrient-induced Insulin Release Research Articles

Physiology of proglucagon peptides: role of glucagon and GLP-1 in health and disease.

The preproglucagon gene (Gcg) is expressed by specific enteroendocrine cells (L-cells) of the intestinal mucosa, pancreatic islet α-cells, and a discrete set of neurons within the nucleus of the solitary tract. Gcg encodes multiple peptides including glucagon, glucagon-like peptide-1, glucagon-like peptide-2, oxyntomodulin, and glicentin. Of these, glucagon and GLP-1 have received the most attention because of important roles in glucose metabolism, involvement in diabetes and other disorders, and application to therapeutics. The generally accepted model is that GLP-1 improves glucose homeostasis indirectly via stimulation of nutrient-induced insulin release and by reducing glucagon secretion. Yet the body of literature surrounding GLP-1 physiology reveals an incompletely understood and complex system that includes peripheral and central GLP-1 actions to regulate energy and glucose homeostasis. On the other hand, glucagon is established principally as a counterregulatory hormone, increasing in response to physiological challenges that threaten adequate blood glucose levels and driving glucose production to restore euglycemia. However, there also exists a potential role for glucagon in regulating energy expenditure that has recently been suggested in pharmacological studies. It is also becoming apparent that there is cross-talk between the proglucagon derived-peptides, e.g., GLP-1 inhibits glucagon secretion, and some additive or synergistic pharmacological interaction between GLP-1 and glucagon, e.g., dual glucagon/GLP-1 agonists cause more weight loss than single agonists. In this review, we discuss the physiological functions of both glucagon and GLP-1 by comparing and contrasting how these peptides function, variably in concert and opposition, to regulate glucose and energy homeostasis.

Therapeutic potential of the original incretin hormone glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide: diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis and Alzheimer's disease?

Importance to the field: Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) is an incretin hormone that potentiates nutrient-induced insulin release. To date, the physiological importance of GIP has received much less attention than its younger sister incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide-1. Thus, it is worthwhile to refocus on this important and somewhat neglected incretin hormone.Areas covered in this review: The potential role of GIP as a treatment option for type 2 diabetes is highlighted. Furthermore, the use of GIP as a new therapeutic option for obesity, osteoporosis and cognitive impairment is also considered.What the reader will gain: Long-acting GIP receptor agonists offer a potential new class of antidiabetic drugs. Furthermore, recent observations suggest an as yet untapped potential for GIP agonists in the treatment of osteoporosis and cognitive impairment. In addition, GIP is known to play a role in lipid metabolism and fat deposition. Accordingly, both genetic and chemical ablation of GIP signalling in mice with obesity–diabetes can protect against, or reverse, many of the obesity-associated metabolic disturbances. This review focuses on preclinical data generated to date.Take home message: GIP-based therapeutics have potential for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity, with the possibility of further beneficial actions in osteoporosis and cognitive decline.

Evaluation of the antidiabetic activity of DPP IV resistant N-terminally modified versus mid-chain acylated analogues of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide

Glucose dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) is a gastrointestinal hormone with therapeutic potential for type 2 diabetes due to its insulin-releasing and antihyperglycaemic actions. However, development of GIP-based therapies is limited by N-terminal degradation by DPP IV resulting in a very short circulating half-life. Numerous GIP analogues have now been generated exhibiting DPP IV resistance and extended bioactivity profiles. In this study, we report a direct comparison of the long-term antidiabetic actions of three such GIP molecules, N-AcGIP, GIP(Lys 37PAL) and N-AcGIP(Lys 37PAL) in obese diabetic ( ob/ ob) mice. An extended duration of action of each GIP analogue was demonstrated prior to examining the effects of once daily injections (25 nmol kg −1 body weight) over a 14-day period. Administration of either N-AcGIP, GIP(Lys 37PAL) or N-AcGIP(Lys 37PAL) significantly decreased non-fasting plasma glucose and improved glucose tolerance compared to saline treated controls. All three analogues significantly enhanced glucose and nutrient-induced insulin release, and improved insulin sensitivity. The metabolic and insulin secretory responses to native GIP were also enhanced in 14-day analogue treated mice, revealing no evidence of GIP-receptor desensitization. These effects were accompanied by significantly enhanced pancreatic insulin following N-AcGIP(Lys 37PAL) and increased islet number and islet size in all three groups. Body weight, food intake and circulating glucagon were unchanged. These data demonstrate the therapeutic potential of once daily injection of enzyme resistant GIP analogues and indicate that N-AcGIP is equally as effective as related palmitate derivatised analogues of GIP.

Subcellular distribution and function of Rab3A, B, C, and D isoforms in insulin-secreting cells.

Insulin-secreting cells express four GTPases of the Rab3 family. After separation of extracts of INS-1 cells on a sucrose density gradient, the bulk of the A, B, and C isoforms was recovered in the fractions enriched in insulin-containing secretory granules. Rab3D was also mainly associated with secretory granules, but a fraction of this isoform was localized on lighter organelles. Analyses by confocal microscopy of immunostained HIT-T15 cells transfected with epitope-tagged constructs confirmed the distribution of the Rab3 isoforms. Transfection of HIT-T15 cells with GTPase-deficient mutants of the Rab3 isoforms decreased nutrient-induced insulin release to different degrees (D>B>A>>C), while overexpression of Rab3 wild types had minor or no effects. Expression of the same Rab3 mutants in PC12 cells provoked an inhibition of K+-stimulated secretion of dense core vesicles, indicating that, in beta-cells and neuroendocrine cells, the four Rab3 isoforms play a similar role in exocytosis. A Rab3A/C chimera in which the carboxyterminal domain of A was replaced with the corresponding region of C inhibited insulin secretion as Rab3A. In contrast, a Rab3C/A chimera containing the amino-terminal domain of C was less potent and reduced exocytosis as Rab3C. This suggests that the degree of inhibition obtained after transfection of the Rab3 isoforms is determined by differences in the variable amino-terminal region.

Effect of a sodium-channel activator (BDF 9148) on insulin secretion in mouse pancreatic islets.

The interplay of the ion channels of the pancreatic beta-cell is a crucial step in the regulation of insulin secretion. Though the presence of sodium channels is obvious in the pancreatic beta-cell, their role is not yet understood. Using a specific modulator of sodium channels. BDF 9148, a concentration-dependent reduction of glucose-stimulated insulin release was found. BDF 9148 also reduced tolbutamide- or potassium chloride-induced insulin release. BDF 9148 had no effect on KATP channel function as estimated by 86Rb+ efflux measurement and was also ineffective on 45Ca2+ uptake but augmented 22Na+ uptake. BDF 9148 did not alter the electrical activity of beta-cells significantly. Since BDF 9148 antagonized the stimulatory effect of veratridine on insulin release, sodium channels are likely to be the target of its action. In conclusion, the sodium-channel modulator BDF 9148 inhibits nutrient-induced insulin release by a mechanism which is not involved in the generation of action potentials in the beta-cell.

Islet acid glucan-1,4-alpha-glucosidase: a putative key enzyme in nutrient-stimulated insulin secretion.

Little attention has been paid to a possible relationship between lysosomal function and stimulation of secretory processes in endocrine cells. The last few years it has become increasingly evident that the secretion of insulin from the pancreatic beta-cell is the result of a very complex cascade of events, the details of which are far from elucidated and indeed may include the participation of the lysosomal system. We report here, with a combined in vitro and in vivo approach, that selective inhibition of islet lysosomal glycogenolytic acid glucan-1,4-alpha-glucosidase activity by the long-acting 1-deoxynojirimycin derivative emiglitate induces a profound suppression of nutrient-induced insulin release. In islet homogenate emiglitate strongly and dose-dependently inhibited the activity of acid glucan-1,4-alpha-glucosidase (EC50 approximately 10(-6) M) without affecting other classical lysosomal enzyme activities. The emiglitate-induced inhibition curve for glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from isolated islets was remarkably similar to the inhibition curve for acid glucan-1,4-alpha-glucosidase. Moreover, insulin release stimulated by the nonglucose nutrient secretagogues, leucine, and alpha-ketoisocaproic acid (KIC) was totally suppressed by emiglitate. In contrast, receptor activated insulin secretion induced by the insulinotropic hormone cholecystokinin (CCK-8) was unaffected by the drug. Further, parenteral pretreatment of mice with emiglitate markedly suppressed the insulin secretory response to an iv injection of glucose or KIC, whereas the response to an iv injection of CCK-8 was unaffected. In accordance with this, islets isolated from emiglitate-treated mice showed a reduced activity of acid glucan-1,4-alpha-glucosidase and, moreover, such islets incubated in vitro, secreted less insulin in response to glucose than did control islets. Finally, pretreatment of mice with purified fungal acid glucan-1,4-alpha-glucosidase, enzyme replacement, brought about a markedly increased insulin secretory response after an iv injection of KIC, whereas the insulin response after CCK-8 injection was unaffected. Taken together with previous observations, the present data strongly suggest that islet lysosomal acid alpha-glucosidehydrolases are involved in the multifactorial process of nutrient-induced insulin secretion. The existence of hitherto unresolved and complex interactions between different beta-cell organelles in the insulin secretory processes should be thoroughly reevaluated.

New insights into pancreatic β-cell metabolic signaling in insulin secretion

In recent years, it has become apparent that second messengers and factors other than ATP. metabolically sensitive K+ATP channels and Ca2+ play essential roles in nutrient-induced insulin release. This paper reviews the evidence in support of several new concepts and hypotheses in the field of beta-cell signaling. These include in particular that: a rise in cytosolic Ca2+ is not sufficient to explain the kinetics and extent of secretion induced by glucose; variations in ADP, rather than ATP, regulate beta-cell metabolism and the K+ATP channel; anaplerosis (the replenishment of the citric acid cycle with intermediates) is essential for beta-cell activation: a shift from fatty acid oxidation to esterification is an important event in beta-cell signaling: malonyl-CoA and long chain acyl-CoA esters may act as metabolic coupling factors; glycolytic oscillations underlie, in part, oscillations in electrical activity, cytosolic Ca2+ and insulin release. A metabolic model of fuel sensing that integrates the mode of action of all classes of nutrient secretagogues is proposed.

Evidence for an anaplerotic/malonyl-CoA pathway in pancreatic beta-cell nutrient signaling.

A metabolic model of fuel sensing has been proposed in which malonyl-CoA and long-chain acyl-CoA esters may act as coupling factors in nutrient-induced insulin release (Prentki M, Vischer S, Glennon MC, Regazzi R, Deeney J, Corkey BE: Malonyl-CoA and long chain acyl-CoA esters as metabolic coupling factors in nutrient-induced insulin secretion. J Biol Chem 267:5802-5810, 1992). To gain further insight into the control of malonyl-CoA content in islet tissue, we have studied the short- and long-term regulation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and fatty acid synthase (FAS) in the beta-cell. These enzymes catalyze the formation of malonyl-CoA and its usage for de novo fatty acid biogenesis. ACC mRNA, protein, and enzymatic activity are present at appreciable levels in rat pancreatic islets and clonal beta-cells (HIT cells). Glucose addition to HIT cells results in a marked increase in ACC activity that precedes the initiation of insulin release. Fasting does not modify the ACC content of islets, whereas it markedly downregulates that of lipogenic tissues. This indicates differential regulation of the ACC gene in lipogenic tissues and the islets of Langerhans. FAS is very poorly expressed in islet tissue, yet ACC is abundant. This demonstrates that the primary function of malonyl-CoA in the beta-cells is to regulate fatty acid oxidation, not to serve as a substrate for fatty acid biosynthesis. The anaplerotic enzyme pyruvate carboxylase, which allows the replenishment of citric acid cycle intermediates needed for malonyl-CoA production via citrate, is abundant in islet tissue. Glucose causes an elevation in beta (HIT)-cell citrate that precedes secretion, and only those nutrients that can elevate citrate induce effective insulin release. The results provide new evidence in support of the model and explain why malonyl-CoA rises markedly and rapidly in islets upon glucose stimulation: 1) glucose elevates citrate, the precursor of malonyl-CoA; 2) glucose enhances ACC enzymatic activity; and 3) malonyl-CoA is not diverted to lipids. The data suggest that ACC is a key enzyme in metabolic signal transduction of the beta-cell and provide evidence for the concept that an anaplerotic/malonyl-CoA pathway is implicated in insulin secretion.

Glucose regulates acetyl-CoA carboxylase gene expression in a pancreatic beta-cell line (INS-1).

Acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) catalyzes the production of malonyl-CoA which may act as a metabolic coupling factor in nutrient-induced insulin release. We have studied the long term regulation of ACC by nutrients using the cell line INS-1. Glucose, from 5 to 20 mM, elicited a 15-fold increase in ACC mRNA. The effect was detected after 4 h and reached a maximum by 24 h. ACC protein accumulation followed that of ACC mRNA, and glucose did not modify the half-life of the ACC transcript. Glucose caused a dose-dependent rise in the glucose 6-phosphate content of INS-1 cells. 2-Deoxyglucose, which is phosphorylated by glucokinase but is not further metabolized, induced ACC mRNA. The effect of glucose was blocked by the glucokinase inhibitors mannoheptulose and glucosamine and was not mimicked by the 3-O-methyl or 6-deoxy analogues of glucose, which are not phosphorylated. Activation of the Ca2+, cAMP, and C-kinase pathways with high K+, forskolin, and phorbol 12-myristate 13 acetate, respectively, caused insulin release but not ACC mRNA induction. Basal insulin release, at 5 mM glucose, correlated with the ACC protein content of INS-1 cells preincubated for 24 h at various glucose concentrations. In conclusion, glucose is a potent inducer of the ACC gene, and glucose 6-phosphate may mediate its effect. Different signaling systems mediate the action of glucose on insulin release and ACC gene expression. The data strengthen the view that ACC plays a pivotal role in nutrient-induced insulin release.

Galanin inhibits proinsulin gene expression stimulated by the insulinotropic hormone glucagon-like peptide-I(7-37) in mouse insulinoma beta TC-1 cells

The neuropeptide hormone galanin, released by sympathetic stimulation of nerve terminals in the endocrine pancreas, inhibits insulin secretion via a receptor-linked pertussis toxin-sensitive (Gi) transmembrane signaling pathway. Glucagon-like peptide-I(7-37) [GLP-I(7-37)] is an intestinal hormone shown to have potent insulin-releasing activities in pancreatic B-cells and is believed to serve a physiological role in the augmentation of nutrient-induced insulin release. GLP-I(7-37) binds to specific Gs- and adenylate cyclase-coupled receptors on pancreatic B-cells and directly stimulates proinsulin gene transcription, thereby increasing cellular levels of proinsulin messenger RNA (mRNA) and proinsulin biosynthesis. This study examines the effects of galanin on GLP-I(7-37)-stimulated proinsulin gene expression in mouse beta TC1 cells. The degree of proinsulin gene transcription was assessed by measuring the activity of chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) expressed from a CAT reporter plasmid linked to the rat insulin-1 gene promoter transferred to beta TC1 cells and by measuring proinsulin mRNA levels by Northern blot analysis. Galanin inhibited both CAT activity and the rise in proinsulin mRNA levels stimulated by either GLP-I(7-37) or forskolin (0.1 microM). Notably, galanin was without effect on CAT activity induced by the cAMP analog, 8-bromo-cAMP, the phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, or higher concentrations of forskolin. The inhibitory effects of galanin on GLP-I(7-37) and forskolin-induced CAT activity were reversed by the addition of pertussis toxin, a toxin that inactivates inhibitory G-proteins (Gi). We conclude that galanin inhibits GLP-I(7-37)-stimulated proinsulin gene expression by inhibiting the activation of adenylate cyclase by GLP-I(7-37) and subsequently the production of cAMP in B-cells. Further, our data suggest that these actions of galanin are mediated by a pertussis toxin sensitive pathway involving one or more Gis that inhibit adenylate cyclase. Thus, in addition to its well known inhibitory effects on insulin secretion galanin can inhibit proinsulin gene expression stimulated by GLP-I(7-37) activation of the cAMP signaling pathway. These findings may be a unique demonstration of the inhibition of proinsulin gene expression by a substance (galanin) released endogenously within the pancreas.

Galanin inhibits proinsulin gene expression stimulated by the insulinotropic hormone glucagon-like peptide-I(7-37) in mouse insulinoma beta TC-1 cells.

The neuropeptide hormone galanin, released by sympathetic stimulation of nerve terminals in the endocrine pancreas, inhibits insulin secretion via a receptor-linked pertussis toxin-sensitive (Gi) transmembrane signaling pathway. Glucagon-like peptide-I(7-37) [GLP-I(7-37)] is an intestinal hormone shown to have potent insulin-releasing activities in pancreatic B-cells and is believed to serve a physiological role in the augmentation of nutrient-induced insulin release. GLP-I(7-37) binds to specific Gs- and adenylate cyclase-coupled receptors on pancreatic B-cells and directly stimulates proinsulin gene transcription, thereby increasing cellular levels of proinsulin messenger RNA (mRNA) and proinsulin biosynthesis. This study examines the effects of galanin on GLP-I(7-37)-stimulated proinsulin gene expression in mouse beta TC1 cells. The degree of proinsulin gene transcription was assessed by measuring the activity of chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) expressed from a CAT reporter plasmid linked to the rat insulin-1 gene promoter transferred to beta TC1 cells and by measuring proinsulin mRNA levels by Northern blot analysis. Galanin inhibited both CAT activity and the rise in proinsulin mRNA levels stimulated by either GLP-I(7-37) or forskolin (0.1 microM). Notably, galanin was without effect on CAT activity induced by the cAMP analog, 8-bromo-cAMP, the phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, or higher concentrations of forskolin. The inhibitory effects of galanin on GLP-I(7-37) and forskolin-induced CAT activity were reversed by the addition of pertussis toxin, a toxin that inactivates inhibitory G-proteins (Gi). We conclude that galanin inhibits GLP-I(7-37)-stimulated proinsulin gene expression by inhibiting the activation of adenylate cyclase by GLP-I(7-37) and subsequently the production of cAMP in B-cells. Further, our data suggest that these actions of galanin are mediated by a pertussis toxin sensitive pathway involving one or more Gis that inhibit adenylate cyclase. Thus, in addition to its well known inhibitory effects on insulin secretion galanin can inhibit proinsulin gene expression stimulated by GLP-I(7-37) activation of the cAMP signaling pathway. These findings may be a unique demonstration of the inhibition of proinsulin gene expression by a substance (galanin) released endogenously within the pancreas.

Malonyl-CoA and long chain acyl-CoA esters as metabolic coupling factors in nutrient-induced insulin secretion.

Several approaches were used to test the hypothesis proposing a role for acyl-CoA esters in nutrient-induced insulin release (Prentki, M., and Matschinsky, F. M. (1987) Physiol. Rev. 67, 1185-1248; Corkey, B. E., Glennon, M. C., Chen, K. S., Deeney, J. T., Matschinsky, F. M., and Prentki, M. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 21608-21612). Exogenous saturated long chain fatty acids markedly potentiated glucose-induced insulin release and elevated long chain acyl-CoA esters in the clonal beta-cell line (HIT). The secretory action depended on the fatty acid chain length, occurred in the range 3-20 microM (free concentration of palmitate), and was reversible and inhibitable by the neuromodulator somatostatin. 2-Bromopalmitate, an inhibitor of carnitine palmitoyl transferase I, suppressed the oxidation of endogenous fatty acids and promoted release of insulin. Only the nutrients or the combination of nutrients that caused secretion elevated malonyl-CoA. The short-chain acyl-CoA profile of HIT cells stimulated by various nutrients was determined in the presence of the nonstimulatory fuel glutamine. Glucose and leucine each provoked similar changes in acyl-CoA compounds. Both secretagogues elevated malonyl-CoA 3-6-fold, whereas succinyl-CoA, free CoASH, acetyl-CoA, and the free CoASH to acetyl-CoA ratio remained unaltered. Furthermore, only when inhibition of fatty acid oxidation was associated with a rise in malonyl-CoA did the total (mitochondrial plus cytoplasmic) content of long chain acyl-CoA esters correlate inversely with insulin release promoted by various nutrients. The results are consistent with the concept that fuel stimuli cause a rise in malonyl-CoA which by inhibiting fatty acid oxidation increase cytosolic long chain acyl-CoA esters. These data provide further support for a model in which malonyl-CoA and long chain acyl-CoAs esters serve as metabolic coupling factors when pancreatic beta-cells are stimulated with glucose and other nutrient secretagogues.

Short-term exposure of rat pancreatic islets to human interleukin-1β increases cellular uptake of calcium

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) may be one of the effector molecules involved in the destruction of the pancreatic islet B cells resulting in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Isolated islets exposed to IL-1 show an acutely increased substrate metabolism and insulin release, which is followed by a metabolic and functional suppression. Since an increased cellular uptake of calcium in the islets may be associated with both nutrient-induced insulin release and cell damage, the effects of recombinant IL-1β (rIL-β) on net cellular calcium uptake by isolated rat pancreatic islets were investigated. In short-term experiments the islets were exposed to 25 U/ml rIL-1β for 120 min in the presence of 1.7 mM or 16.7 mM glucose, or 16.7 mM glucose plus 5 mM verapamil. In these experiments rIL-1β induced an increase both in net cellular uptake of calcium and in insulin release only in the presence of 16.7 mM glucose. The stimulatory effect of rIL-1β at 16.7 mM glucose was blocked by verapamil. By long-term experiments, under tissue culture conditions in the presence of 11.1 mM glucose, islet net calcium uptake, insulin release and glucose oxidation were measured at different time points over a 24-h period. During the first 2 h of incubation 25 U/ml rIL-1β effected a significant increase of net calcium uptake, insulin release and glucose oxidation. However, after 4 – 5 h of incubation with the cytokine no such stimulatory effects were seen. After longer incubations with rIL-1β all the islet functions studied were suppressed. To further elucidate the potential role of cellular calcium uptake via voltage-dependent channels for the long-term deleterious effects of rIL-1β on islet function, isolated islets were incubated for 24 h with 25 U/ml rIL-1β in the absence and presence of 5 mM verapamil. Except for a partial protection against a decrease in islet DNA content, there was no effect of verapamil on the suppressive action of the cytokine on islet insulin content, insulin release, glucose oxidation or proinsulin-insulin and total protein biosynthesis. The combined data suggest that rIL-1β acutely increases insulin release by an increased substrate metabolism and cellular calcium uptake via voltage-dependent channels. In the suppressive phase of rIL-1β action on the pancreatic islet B cells, calcium uptake and insulin biosynthesis and release are apparently decreased by a deprived substrate metabolism.

Nutrient induced insulin release from an insulinoma derived B-cell line.

The present study describes the effect of nutrient secretagogues upon insulin release from an insulinoma derived B-cell line RINm5F. Glucose failed to stimulate insulin release, it did however increase the rate of glucose oxidation by some 16 fold. Glyceraldehyde stimulated insulin release in a concentration dependent manner, maximum stimulation occurring at 20 mmol/l. The response to glyceraldehyde was suppressed by calcium channel blockade and calmodulin inhibition. Insulin release was also stimulated by the amino acids leucine and arginine, maximum stimulation for both amino acids occurring at 15 mmol/l. The present study confirms the usefulness of this cell line as a model for the study of insulin secretion.

Lipoxygenase Inhibitors Reduce Insulin Secretion Without Impairing Calcium Mobilization*

Inhibitors of pancreatic islet lipoxygenase (LPX) impair nutrient-induced insulin (I) release. To define the mechanism of action of these inhibitors, studies were carried out at subthreshold glucose concentrations (0-1.7 mM) in order to minimize any effects of LPX blockade on the potentiating effect of extracellular fuels. Barium chloride (Ba2+; 2 mM) increased 45Ca2+ release from prelabeled islets in Ca2+-free medium and, thus, is a model for the mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ stores. Inhibition of LPX (using nordihydroguaiaretic acid, BW755c [3-amino-1-(trifluomethyl-phenyl)2-pyrazoline] or butylated hydroxytoluene) did not have any consistent effect on the influx of Ba2+ (as assessed by 133Ba uptake) or on the consequent release of cellular Ca2+ stores; however, each LPX inhibitor vitiated Ba2+-induced I release. The LPX inhibitors were not merely acting as nonspecific antioxidants, since two inhibitors which do not act by scavenging hydroperoxides (5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid and 15-hydroxy-5,8,11,13-eicosatetraenoic acid) also impeded the effect of Ba2+ on I secretion; furthermore, a series of hydroxyl radical scavengers, reducing agents, or agents that block nonenzymatic and/or NADPH-activated lipid peroxidation did not inhibit I secretion. LPX inhibitors also blocked the residual I response to 16.7 mM glucose in Ca2+-free medium. Additionally, they reduced secretion induced by 46 mM K+ or 1 mM isobutylmethylxanthine (provided in the presence of extracellular Ca2+), without inhibiting K+- or isobutylmethylxanthine-induced Ca2+ fluxes. Stimuli sensitive to LPX blockade were also antagonized by antimycin A (an inhibitor of energy flux) or TMB-8 [8-(N,N-diethylamino)octyl 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate hydrochloride; which appeared to deplete critical intracellular Ca2+ stores]. In contrast, the effects of exogenous phospholipase C (and several other Ca2+-dependent membrane-active agonists) were resistant to the LPX inhibitors, TMB-8, and antimycin A; thus, LPX inhibitors are not nonspecific global poisons of all Ca2+-dependent exocytotic hormone release. We conclude that LPX (or a very similar enzyme) may modulate the effects (or redistribution) of an ATP-dependent trigger pool of Ca2+ at a site distal to and independent of its mobilization by primary islet agonists. LPX inhibitors also blocked secretion induced by 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate; this effect may reflect an effect of LPX on the activation of protein kinase C or a modulation of its synergism with the same trigger Ca2+ pool(s).

Glucose-induced changes in cytosolic ATP content in pancreatic islets

The cytosolic and mitochondrial contents in ATP, ADP and AMP were measured in islets incubated for 45 min at increasing concentrations of d-glucose and then exposed for 20 s to digitonin. The latter treatment failed to affect the total islet ATP/ADP ratio and adenylate charge. d-Glucose caused a much greater increase in cytosolic than mitochondrial ATP/ADP ratio. In the cytosol, a sigmoidal pattern characterized the changes in ATP/ADP ratio at increasing concentrations of d-glucose. These findings are compatible with the view that cytosolic ATP participates in the coupling of metabolic to ionic events in the process of nutrient-induced insulin release.

Differences in long-term effects of l-glutamine and d-glucose on insulin release from rat pancreatic islets

We have compared the effects of long-term exposure to l-glutamine or l-glucose on nutrient-induced insulin release from pancreatic islets of the rat. After 3 days of culture islets were finally tested in 1 h incubations for insulin responses to 16.7 mM of glucose, glutamine, leucine or a combination of leucine and glutamine. After culture at 11 mM glucose + 2 mM glutamine (A), glucose, leucine and glutamine stimulated release to a similar extent from islets. After culture at 1.7 mM glucose + 10 mM glutamine (B), only leucine stimulated insulin release. After culture at 11 mM glucose + 10 mM glutamine (C), both leucine and glutamine increased the insulin response. After culture at 1.7 mM glucose and 2 mM glutamine (D), only glutamine slightly stimulated release. After culture in high glutamine (B or C), a combination of leucine and glutamine significantly inhibited release as compared to leucine alone. A switch in culture media from B to A for 1 h prior to final incubations revived insulin release in response to glucose but not to glutamine. The reverse switch (A to B) abolished both subsequent glucose- and glutamine-induced insulin release. A switch from D to B revived an insulin response to leucine. Exposure of B-cells to 11 mM glucose during 30 min in another experimental system (perfused pancreas) induced a significant insulin response to subsequent stimulation with glutamine; this response was, however, only 17% of that to glucose per se observed in the same experiments. Islet 14CO 2 production from [ 14C]glutamine was higher after culture medium A than in B, but the percent increase in 14C production was similar when the concentration of glutamine was changed from 1.7 to 16 mM during oxidation experiments. In contrast, production of 14CO 2 from [ 14C]glucose was similar after culture in A or B in the presence of 1.7 mM glucose, whereas 16.7 mM glucose increased glucose oxidation less after culture in B than in A. We conclude that previous glucose causes a general enhancement of B-cell responsiveness, whereas previous glutamine exerts both stimulatory and inhibitory effects on B-cell function. The latter effect may be linked to interference by glutamine with glucose metabolism of the B-cells.

Interplay of nutrients and hormones in the regulation of insulin release.

Single pancreatic B cells are purified by autofluorescence-activated cell sorting, and their secretory activity is measured after overnight culture. Compared to intact islets, the isolated cells release 2-fold more insulin under basal conditions and 5-fold less during nutrient stimulation. Their secretory activity can be induced by glucose, leucine, or arginine, but only 0.3-1.7% of their hormone content is liberated at 20 mM nutrient concentrations. This poor nutrient-induced insulin release from purified B cells is attributed to their low cAMP levels and is markedly increased after addition of (Bu)2cAMP, of glucagon, or of pancreatic A cells. These results strongly support the concept that the potent in vivo insulin-releasing action of glucose and leucine is not only dependent on their fuel capacity in pancreatic B cells but also on the concurrent cAMP levels in these cells. In isolated islets, endogenously released glucagon apparently determines the cAMP production in B cells and thus participates in the nutrient-induced secretory process. Somatostatin and epinephrine were shown to exert their suppressive effects via the glucagon-dependent messenger system. It is concluded that nutrients and hormones interact with two different messenger systems which amplify each others' stimulatory effect upon insulin release. cAMP might represent the hormone-induced messenger which sets the B cell's sensitivity and secretory capacity for nutrient stimuli such as glucose. The higher insulin secretory response observed after reaggregation of single B cells could not be attributed to an altered activity in the nutrient or hormonal regulatory units, raising the possibility that the aggregated state of the cells is rather responsible for a better organization or cooperation of the secretory effector unit.

Coupling factors in nutrient-induced insulin release.

Coupling factors in nutrient-induced insulin release.

Impairment by aminooxyacetate of ionic response to nutrients in pancreatic islets.

Aminooxyacetate, an inhibitor of transamination reactions, was recently reported to prevent the induction of a more reduced state in the cytosolic redox couple, as normally evoked by glucose or 2-ketoisocaproate in rat pancreatic islets. The cationic effects of aminooxyacetate were examined, therefore, in perifused islets prelabeled with either 86Rb or 45Ca. Aminooxyacetate augmented the outflow of 86Rb from the islets whether in the absence or presence of an exogenous nutrient and slightly impaired the capacity of nutrients, especially 2-ketoisocaproate, to decrease 86Rb outflow. Aminooxyacetate abolished the nutrient-induced rise in 45Ca efflux that normally results from the stimulation by glucose or 2-ketoisocaproate of 40Ca influx into the islet cells. Aminooxyacetate, however, failed to suppress the early inhibitory effect of nutrients on 45Ca efflux. The alteration by aminooxyacetate of the cationic response to nutrient secretagogues coincided with a suppression of insulin release, whereas the cationic response to a nonnutrient stimulation by a high concentration of extracellular K+ was unaffected by aminooxyacetate. These findings suggest that the induction of a more reduced cytosolic redox state represents an essential link between metabolic events and both the decrease in K+ conductance and stimulation of Ca2+ inflow in the process of nutrient-induced insulin release.