Second-phase Insulin Release Research Articles

Insulin secretion in pancreatic islets from rats with cirrhosis

Cirrhosis was induced in rats by subcutaneous injections of CCl4 for 13 or 17 weeks. The morphology of the pancreatic islets from the CCl4-treated rats was found to be normal. The CCl4-treated rats had lower fasting serum glucose levels and higher serum insulin levels than the controls. After an oral glucose load (3 g/kg body weight), glucose levels in CCl4-treated rats stayed within the normal range, whereas the serum insulin levels remained higher with a delayed decline of insulin with time. In vitro perifusion of islets from the CCl4-treated rats showed that the response to 16.7 mmol/l glucose was reduced with both lower total insulin output and stimulated insulin output, whereas the patterns of first and second phase of insulin release did not differ. The insulin content of the perifused islets was not affected by 13 weeks of CCl4 treatment. Islets from rats treated with CCl4 for 17 weeks showed normal secretory response to 20 mmol/l L-arginine. Taken together, the results, showing normal or reduced capacity for insulin secretion, suggest that the hyperinsulinemia accompanying CCl4-induced cirrhosis is not due to increased secretion of the pancreatic islets. It may rather be associated with decreased insulin degradation by the liver with cirrhosis.

EFFECT OF FIRST-PHASE INSULIN SECRETION ON HEPATIC GLUCOSE UPTAKE IN CONSCIOUS DOGS

First phase of insulin secretion in response to glucose challenge is markedly impaired in non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study is to clarify the significant effect of first-phase of insulin secretion on peripheral and hepatic glucose kinetics in conscious dogs. Catheters inserted into the portal and hepatic veins, femoral artery and superior mesenteric vein were kept patent on the dogs' backs. Fourteen days after surgery, two different experiments were performed as follows ; 1) Oral glucose administration test (OGTT), 2) Intraportal glucose infusion to mimic the profiles of plasma glucose in the portal vein after oral glucose load, concomitantly infusing (a) basal insulin or (b) basal and first-phase insulin, in the presence of glucagon and somatostatin. Hepatic glucose uptake could not be observed and plasma glucose levels were significantly increased after intraportal glucose infusion only when the basal insulin was infused. Additional first phase insulin promoted hepatic glucose uptake only for a short time and did not improve the glucose tolerance curve. These results indicate that both the first and second phases of insulin release are relevant to full counterregulation of glucose metabolism. The basal level of insulin is not sufficient to promote hepatic glucose uptake after glucose load.

Longitudinal changes in insulin release and insulin resistance in nonobese pregnant women

To assess the longitudinal changes in insulin release and insulin sensitivity in nonobese normal women during gestation, six women were evaluated with oral glucose tolerance testing, body composition analysis, intravenous glucose tolerance tests, and the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp before conception, at 12 to 14 weeks, and at 34 to 36 weeks' gestation. There was a significant increase in the insulin/glucose ratio (p = 0.028) during the oral glucose tolerance test during gestation. There was also a significant 3.0- to 3.5-fold increase throughout gestation in first-phase (p = 0.001) and second-phase (p = 0.0001) insulin release during the intravenous glucose tolerance test. Peripheral insulin sensitivity was estimated as the glucose infusion rate (in milligrams per kilogram fat-free mass per minute) during the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. There was a significant (p = 0.0003) 56% decrease in insulin sensitivity through 36 weeks' gestation. These results are the first to prospectively evaluate the longitudinal changes in maternal carbohydrate metabolism from the time before conception through late gestation with newer methods such as the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. (AM J OBSTET GYNECOL 1991;165: 1667-72.)

Stimulation of insulin release from pancreatic islets by quinones

Coenzyme Q (CoQ0) and other quinones were shown to be potent insulin secretagogues in the isolated pancreatic islet. The order of potency was CoQ0 congruent to benzoquinone congruent to hydroquinone-menadione. CoQ6 and CoQ10 (ubiquinone), duroquinone and durohydroquinone did not stimulate insulin release. CoQ0's insulinotropism was enhanced in calcium-free medium and CoQ0 appeared to stimulate only the second phase of insulin release. CoQ0 inhibited inositol mono-, bis- and trisphosphate formation. Inhibitors of mitochondrial respiration (rotenone, antimycin A, FCCP and cyanide) and the calcium channel blocker verapamil, did not inhibit CoQ0-induced insulin release. Dicumarol, an inhibitor of quinone reductase, did not inhibit CoQ0-induced insulin release, but it did inhibit glucose-induced insulin release suggesting that the enzyme and quinones play a role in glucose-induced insulin release. Quinones may stimulate insulin release by mimicking physiologically-occurring quinones, such as CoQ10, by acting on the plasma membrane or in the cytosol. Exogenous quinones may bypass the quinone reductase reaction, as well as many reactions important for exocytosis.

Decreased insulin secretory capacity and normal pancreatic B‐cell glucose sensitivity in non‐obese patients with NIDDM

We investigated the dose-response characteristics of glucose-induced insulin release and the influence of hyperglycaemia on arginine-induced insulin secretion in eight non-obese subjects with NIDDM and in eight non-diabetic volunteers. Plasma C-peptide levels, achieved during 60 min hyperglycaemic clamps with and without the infusion of a primed continuous infusion of arginine (infusion rate 15 mg kg-1 min-1) during the last 30 min, were analysed with a modified Michaelis-Menten equation. The insulin secretory capacity (Vmax) for glucose-stimulated insulin release showed a trend towards a negative correlation with the fasting blood glucose in the NIDDM subjects (r = 0.68, P = 0.6); it was lower than the Vmax of non-diabetic controls (2.2 +/- 0.2 vs 4.2 +/- 0.4 nmol l-1 respectively; P less than 0.001). The ED50 (half maximal stimulating blood glucose concentration) of the second-phase glucose-stimulated insulin release (determined from the plasma C-peptide levels at 60 min) was not significantly different from the ED50 of the controls (11.9 +/- 0.8 vs 13.3 +/- 1.9 mmol l-1 respectively; P greater than 0.2). Combined glucose-arginine stimulation significantly increased insulin release. The Vmax for both phases were significantly lower in NIDDM patients than in controls (2.3 +/- 0.2 vs 5.0 +/- 0.9 and 3.8 +/- 0.5 vs 8.5 +/- 0.9 nmol l-1 respectively; P less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of Aging on the Sensitivity of Pancreatic .BETA.-cells to Insulin Secretagogues in Rats.

Glucose-stimulated insulin release from rat pancreas is known to be blunted by aging. In the present study, we examined the effect of aging on insulin release induced by various secretagogues using the isolated perfused pancreas of female rats. Insulin release from the perfused pancreas in response to 16.7 mM glucose in 8-month-old rats (older rats) was much less than that in 2-month-old rats (young rats). The first phase of insulin release after glucose stimulation was attenuated in older rats. The addition of 0.1 mM 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) potentiated glucose-induced insulin secretion in both groups of rats. However, the second phase of insulin secretion in older rats was lower than that in younger rats. The phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol ester (TPA, 200 nM) enhanced both the first and the second phases of insulin release induced by glucose in both groups of rats. The amount of first phase insulin release induced by TPA with glucose in young rats was greater than that in older rats, whereas the second phase of insulin release was similar in both groups of rats. On the other hand, tolbutamide (200 uM) similarly stimulated the first phase of insulin release in both age groups of rat. In addition, the amount of cumulative insulin secretion induced by tolbutamide during the second phase was slightly but significantly greater in older rats than in young controls. Insulin content in the pancreas was significantly greater in older rats than in young rats and increased after the stimulation with TPA and tolbutamide.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Comparative effects of linogliride fumarate and tolbutamide sodium on insulin secretion and glucose utilization in rat pancreatic islets

AbstractThe effects of linogliride fumarate (0.1 mmol/liter) and tolbutamide sodium (0.5 mmol/liter) on insulin secretion and glucose utilzation were directly compared in isolated perifused rat islets. Both compounds potentiated glucose‐primed (5.5 mmol/liter) insulin release. The insulin secretory response at the concentration chosen was qualitatively different for the two agents. In the presence of glucose, the insulin secretory effect of tolbutamide was biphasic, whereas linoglirde predominantly increased second‐phase insulin secretion. In the absence of exogenous glucos, tolbutamide stimulated first‐phase insulin release wherease linogliride was ineffective without glucose in the perifusion medium. Neither linogliride (0.1 mmol/liter) nor tolbutamide (0.5 mmol/liter) stimulated islet cell glucose usage as measured by conversion of [5−3H]‐glucose to 3H2O. The insulin secretagogue effect of linogliride was completely abolished when islet cell glucose usage was partially blocked (22% reduction) by mannoheptulose (MH) (10 mmol/liter). When glucose usage was significantly inhibited (55%) by 2‐deoxyglucose (2DG) (10 mmol/liter), linogliride‐stimulated insulin secretion was not significantly reduced. In contrast, tolbutamide‐stimulated first‐phase insulin release was not inhibited when glucose usage was reduced by either MH or 2‐DG, wherease secondphase insulin release was significantly inhibited. In summary, linogliride potentiates insulin secretion in isolated islets by a glucose‐dependent process, but with a kinetic profile and response to metabolic inhibitors different from that of tolbutamide.

Biphasic Insulin Secretion After Intravenous but Not After Intraportal CCK-8 Infusion in Rats

The effects of physiological doses of sulfated cholecystokinin-8 (CCK-8) on insulin secretion were investigated in unrestrained unanesthetized rats. The routes of administration were intravenous or intraportal infusion. Intravenous infusion (0.33-5.0 micrograms CCK-8.kg-1.20 min-1) resulted in a biphasic response pattern consisting of a fast 1st-min rise in plasma insulin concentration and a slower second phase that lasted throughout the infusion. The first phase showed the same amplitude with all amounts of CCK-8 administered in this study, whereas the second phase exhibited dose dependency. Blood glucose levels were lowered during all infusions of CCK-8, although the second phase of insulin release was absent with the lowest dose. These results suggest a strong stimulatory effect of CCK-8 on the pancreatic beta-cells, probably by changing the set point for glucose. The described effects of intravenous administration of CCK-8 cannot be produced when the infusion is given into the portal vein. Only very high concentrations of CCK-8 (15 micrograms.kg-1.20 min-1) produced a small increase in plasma insulin levels, indicating a strong CCK-8-eliminating mechanism in the liver. These results indicate that 1) CCK-8 evokes biphasic insulin release and a concomitant drop in glucose levels, and 2) CCK-8 acting on the beta-cell in vivo is not of intestinal origin but is probably released by the pancreatic vagal branch.

Contribution of Partial Pancreatectomy, Systemic Hormone Delivery, and Duct Obliteration to Glucose Regulation in Canine Pancreas: Importance in Pancreas Transplantation

Our aim was to isolate and determine the contribution of partial pancreatectomy, systemic delivery of pancreatic hormones, and duct obliteration to glucose regulation after segmental pancreas transplantation in dogs. Fasting, postprandial, and intravenous glucose-stimulated glucose, insulin, glucagon, pancreatic polypeptide (PP), and cholecystokinin (CCK) and intravenous bombesin-stimulated PP levels were studied in beagles at three successive intervals in a crossover design. The first was 6 wk after partial (approximately 70%) pancreatectomy with intact regular enteric exocrine drainage from the duodenal pancreatic remnant, the next was 2 wk after venous transposition with systemic delivery of pancreatic hormones, and the third was 6 wk after in situ duct obliteration of the remnant. With partial pancreatectomy, K values were modestly diminished (30%), and a concomitant reduction of second-phase intravenous glucose-stimulated insulin release was observed. Other parameters were not significantly affected. Venous transposition doubled peripheral plasma levels of insulin under all conditions. Fasting glucose, PP, and CCK levels decreased slightly. Other parameters were not affected. Duct obliteration of the systemic draining pancreatic remnants seriously impaired glucose sensitivity, resulting in a 50% reduction of K values and fasting and sustained postprandial hyperglycemia (approximately 8 mM) and a 70-50% reduction (acute and overall responses, respectively) of intravenous glucose-stimulated insulin. Fasting hormone and postprandial insulin, glucagon, and CCK levels were not affected. The postprandial PP response was severely reduced, and bombesin-stimulated PP release was abolished by duct obliteration. We conclude that histological changes associated with duct obliteration are the major determinants of glucose regulation in segmental pancreas transplantation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Interactions between lithium, inositol and mono-oleoylglycerol in the regulation of insulin secretion from isolated perifused rat islets

In response to stimulation by 20 mM-glucose, 15 mM-4-methyl-2-oxopentanoate or 10 mM-glyceraldehyde, isolated perifused rat islets respond with brisk biphasic insulin-secretory responses. The inclusion of 10 mM-LiCl significantly decreased second-phase insulin release in response to all agonists. Inositol, at a concentration (10 mM) which has no effect on secretion in the presence of 2.75 mM-glucose, restored significantly glucose-, 4-methyl-2-oxopentanoate- or glyceraldehyde-induced second-phase release from Li+-treated islets. The addition of the diacylglycerol kinase inhibitor mono-oleoylglycerol, at a concentration (25 microM) which has no stimulatory effect on insulin secretion in the presence of 2.75 mM-glucose, significantly amplified both the first- and second-phase insulin responses to 20 mM-glucose. This amplifying effect of mono-oleoylglycerol was readily reversible and dependent on Ca2+ influx into the beta-cell. Li+ decreased the amplified insulin response to 20 mM-glucose plus mono-oleoylglycerol. Inositol restored release under this condition. These findings suggest that Li+ inhibits release by sequestering inositol into biosynthetically ineffective inositol phosphates. By limiting phosphoinositide resynthesis, the continued hydrolysis of phosphoinositides is diminished. Our results with mono-oleoylglycerol suggest further that diacylglycerol content may play a critically important role in the regulation of both the first and second phases of insulin secretion.

Effect of galanin on glucose-, arginine-, or potassium-stimulated insulin release

We have examined the effect of galanin infusion on glucose-stimulated release of insulin from the isolated perfused pancreas of the rat to better characterize the effect of galanin on the first and second phases of insulin release. The effects of galanin on insulin release stimulated by L-arginine or high concentrations of potassium were also examined. When perfusion of galanin was started 4 min before the start of perfusion of high glucose (16.7 mM), galanin (10(-8)-10(-11) M) inhibited both the first and second phases of insulin release in a dose-dependent manner. When perfusion of galanin (10(-8) or 10(-9) M) was started simultaneously with high glucose (16.7 mM), only the second phase of insulin release was suppressed (P less than 0.05). Galanin (10(-9) M) failed to inhibit insulin release stimulated by L-arginine (10 and 5 mM) or potassium (25 and 20 mM). These findings suggest that the inhibitory action of galanin on glucose-stimulated insulin release is exerted on early intracellular events that occur during the stimulation of insulin release and that are common to both phases. Because galanin does not inhibit insulin release stimulated by L-arginine or potassium, galanin may inhibit glucose-stimulated closure of potassium channels.

The conditions under which rat islets are labelled with [3H]inositol alter the subsequent responses of these islets to a high glucose concentration.

Isolated rat islets were incubated with myo-[2-3H]inositol for 2 h to label their phosphoinositide (PI) pools. Labelling was carried out under three separate conditions: in media containing low (2.75 mM) glucose, high (13.75 mM) glucose, or low (2.75 mM) glucose plus sulphated cholecystokinin (CCK-8S; 200 nM). After labelling, the islets were perifused and the insulin-secretory response to 20 mM-glucose was measured. PI hydrolysis in these same islets was assessed by measurements of both [3H]inositol efflux and the accumulation of labelled inositol phosphates. The following major observations were made. After prelabelling for 2 h in low glucose, perifusion with 20 mM-glucose resulted in a biphasic insulin-secretory response, an increase in [3H]inositol efflux and a parallel increase in the accumulation of labelled inositol phosphates. After prelabelling in high (13.75 mM) glucose, peak first-phase insulin secretion induced by 20 mM-glucose increased 2-2.5-fold, whereas the second phase of insulin release, as well as [3H]inositol efflux and inositol phosphate accumulation, were significantly decreased. The simultaneous infusion of the diacylglycerol kinase inhibitor 1-mono-oleoylglycerol (50 microM), along with 20 mM-glucose, restored the second-phase insulin-secretory response from these islets. After labelling in low (2.75 mM) glucose plus CCK-8S, the initial phases of the insulin-secretory and [3H]inositol-efflux responses to 20 mM-glucose were blunted and the sustained phases of both responses were markedly decreased. Inositol phosphate accumulation was also impaired. Labelling islets in high (13.75 mM) glucose or low (2.75 mM) glucose plus CCK-8S suppresses, in a parallel fashion, glucose-induced increases in PI hydrolysis and in second-phase insulin release. These findings suggest that desensitization of the insulin-secretory response is a consequence of impaired information flow in the inositol lipid cycle.

Cyclosporin A and islet function

Long-term cyclosporin A (CsA) administration in dogs was studied with respect to function of the islets of Langerhans. After 3 weeks of immunosuppression with therapeutic doses, the islets were isolated and assessed in vitro for insulin release in response to glucose challenge. Islet tissue retrieved from the CsA-treated animals showed a total insulin output significantly lower than that of the control animals (p less than 0.01). The first and second phases of insulin release were both impaired in animals treated with CsA compared with controls (p less than 0.001 and p less than 0.05, respectively). The negative impact of CsA on the beta cells was easily demonstrated in this in vitro study. Similar results are more difficult to achieve with purely in vivo models, probably due to the great redundancy of the islet mass in intact animals. The mechanism of this CsA toxicity remains to be defined.

Calcium-binding proteins and insulin release

Calcium and cAMP are interdependent regulators of glucose-induced insulin release. In the present study we investigated the importance of cAMP and calcium-binding proteins for biphasic insulin secretion by assessing the effects of two phenothiazines known to block such proteins, trifluoroperazine (TFP) and promethazine (PMZ). In isolated rat islets, during 60-min incubations with 16.7 mmol/l glucose both agents inhibited the insulin response with ID50 values of 15 mumol/l for TFP and 5 mumol/l for PMZ. Both agents decreased the maximal insulin response without gross changes in the islet sensitivity to glucose. TFP (15 mumol/l), whereas inducing 50% inhibition of second-phase insulin release, totally suppressed the cAMP response to glucose and the accompanying first-phase insulin secretion (5-min incubations); these effects of TFP could be partially reversed by isobutyl methylxanthine (IBMX). In contrast, 5 mumol/l PMZ, which produced 60% inhibition of second-phase insulin release, had no effect on first-phase insulin and cAMP responses to glucose. Furthermore, IBMX did not modify the inhibitory effect of PMZ on second-phase insulin secretion. The following is concluded: 1. TFP acts preferentially on first-phase insulin release and inhibits cAMP formation; this suggests that calmodulin plays a major role in mediating the initial glucose effect on secretion via stimulation of cAMP. 2. The islet probably contains calcium-sensitive proteins other than calmodulin, since the low concentrations of PMZ shown to inhibit second-phase insulin release lack effects on calmodulin. Synexin could be such a protein.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Abnormal calcium handling by perifused pancreatic islets from neonatal streptozotocin diabetic model rats

To elucidate the mechanism of impaired insulin release in case of non-insulin-dependent diabetes (NIDDM), we investigated insulin release and 45Ca ++ efflux from perifused islets obtained from neonatal streptozotocin diabetic model rats. The model rats were prepared by the intraperitoneal administration of 65 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) to neonatal males. Rats treated with STZ did not differ from controls in body weight from 1 week to 16 weeks. The model rats had significant hyperglycemia both in the fasting state and after intraperitoneal administration of 2 g/kg glucose. Although the diameter of the islets from the model rats was not significantly different from that of controls, immunoreactivity to anti-insulin was slightly diminished, and degranulation was slightly observed in B-cells. Insulin content was reduced to 45.6% of the control. Insulin release from the perifused islets of STZ-treated rats responded little to 16.7 mmol/L glucose, but normally to 20 mmol/L arginine in the presence of 5.5 mmol/L glucose. In experiments to test the 45Ca ++ efflux from the perifused islets prelabeled with 45Ca ++, a rise of 45Ca ++ efflux concomitant with the second phase of insulin release from the islets of the model rats was inhibited although a sharp increase of 45Ca ++ efflux concomitant with the first phase of insulin release was maintained. 45Ca ++ uptake for 30 minutes was reduced in the islets from the model rats in the basal and stimulated state of insulin secretion although the incremental 45Ca ++ uptake was similar. It is possible that the abnormal calcium handling in pancreatic B-cells may be one of the causes of defect in insulin release in our model rats. To clarify this possibility, further works will be necessary.

Biphasic insulin release as the expression of combined inhibitory and potentiating effects of glucose.

The dynamics of insulin release were investigated in vitro in order to determine the regulatory processes governing its biphasic shape. When subjected to a square wave glucose stimulation, the isolated perfused rat pancreas responded with typical biphasic insulin release. Both the duration of the nadir between the two phases and the slope of recovery of insulin release during second-phase secretion exhibited glucose dose dependency. Successive 40-min stimuli with glucose (8.3 and 16.7 mM), separated by a 20-min rest period, resulted in 2.6- 3.3-fold potentiation of the early phase insulin release rate, previously described as glucose-primed time-dependent potentiation (TDP) of insulin secretion. A linear relationship (r = 0.89, P less than 0.001) was observed between the degree of TDP and the slope of second-phase insulin release. Successive short stimuli with glucose (5-10 min long, 5-10 min apart; 6.9, 8.3, and 16.7 mM) resulted in the inhibition of the response to the second stimulus; this effect was termed time-dependent inhibition (TDI) of insulin release. Arginine also induced TDI; this was completely overcome by synergistic interaction with glucose (8.3 mM). The glucose-arginine interaction was utilized to demonstrate that the interphasic nadir of insulin release was the expression of TDI. Thus, introduction of an arginine stimulus during the nadir in glucose-induced insulin release abolished the silent phase, the secretion rate reaching the level expected for the combined glucose-arginine stimulus. However, the continued presence of TDI could be demonstrated by removal of the arginine stimulus, at which time, despite ongoing glucose stimulation, insulin secretion was markedly inhibited. These observations support the concept that the biphasic dynamics of insulin release is the net expression of three regulatory processes: 1) the acute stimulus-secretion coupling system, best observed as the immediate, first-phase response to a stimulus; 2) TDI of insulin release, a relatively rapid signal responsible for the silent period; and 3) TDP of insulin release, a slow rising signal responsible for recovery from the silent phase, building up the second-phase of secretion.

Relative Importance of First- and Second-Phase Insulin Secretion in Glucose Homeostasis in Conscious Dog: II. Effects on Gluconeogenesis

The normal pancreatic response to an exogenous glucagon infusion is a biphasic release of insulin. In our study the ability of each component of insulin release to counter the effects of the glucagon on gluconeogenesis and alanine metabolism was assessed by mimicking first- and/or second-phase insulin release with infusions of somatostatin and intraportal insulin. When a fourfold increase in glucagon was brought about in the presence of fixed basal insulin release, there was a large increase in overall glucose production and gluconeogenesis. The increase in the conversion of [14C]alanine into [14C]glucose (169 +/- 42%, P less than .05) was accompanied by an increase in the fractional extraction of alanine by the liver (FEA 0.32 +/- 0.06 to 0.66 +/- 0.10, P less than .05) and net hepatic alanine uptake (NHAU 2.97 +/- 0.45 to 4.61 +/- 0.48 mumol . kg-1 . min-1, P less than .05). Simulated first-phase insulin release had no effect on the ability of glucagon to increase FEA (0.32 +/- 0.03 to 0.66 +/- 0.03, P less than .05) or NHAU (3.69 +/- 0.80 to 5.10 +/- 0.69 mumol . kg-1 . min-1, P less than .05) but did limit the increase in overall gluconeogenic conversion (114 +/- 37%). Second-phase insulin release had no effect on either the glucagon-induced increase in FEA (0.35 +/- 0.08 to 0.73 +/- 0.04) or NHAU (3.35 +/- 0.92 to 5.13 +/- 0.85 mumol . kg-1 . min-1) but completely inhibited the increase in overall gluconeogenic conversion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of adrenal steroids on insulin release from cultured rat islets of Langerhans.

The effect of additions to the culture medium of some natural or synthetic corticosteroid hormones was studied in cultured rat islets of Langerhans. The steroids decreased glucose-induced insulin release. The extent of inhibition by dexamethasone was 18-55%, prednisolone 23%, hydrocortisone 21% and aldosterone 18%. None of them affected the basal secretion of insulin or had any effect on diameter or insulin content of the islet. The inhibitory action of dexamethasone on insulin release was observed in the range 63 nmol/l to 6.3 mumol/l. At 6.3 mumol/l during two h, dexamethasone (a) inhibited insulin response to glucose concentrations above 5 mmol/l (b) caused a delay in the first phase and markedly reduced the second phase of insulin release of perifused islets, and (c) decreased the incorporation of [H3]-leucine into total islet proteins without affecting [H3]-leucine-incorporation into insulin plus proinsulin. It is suggested that steroids, by directly acting on the islets of Langerhans, may modulate the insulin-release response to secretagogues.

Dynamics of pancreatic insulin release in young Zucker rats: a heterozygote effect.

Total pancreatic insulin, dynamic insulin response to glucose (325 mg/dl), or tolbutamide (40 mg/dl) using the isolated perfused pancreas preparation and body composition were determined for 2- and 4-wk-old homozygous lean Fa/Fa, heterozygous lean Fa/fa, unknown lean Fa/??, and homozygous obese fa/fa female Zucker rats. At 2-wk, obese rats (body fat greater than 16%) released significantly more insulin than homozygous lean rats during first (min 10-16) and second phases (min 17-70) (61 vs. 30 ng and 637 vs. 255 ng, respectively). Plasma insulinemia was 177 microU/ml in obese, compared with 51 microU/ml in homozygous lean rats. The dynamic response of unknown lean followed the pattern of either the homozygous lean or the obese rats. There was no significant difference in total pancreatic insulin among any of the groups at 2 wk of age (Fa/Fa, 1.72; Fa/??, 2.01; and Fa/Fa, 1.80 micrograms). At 4 wk, the dynamic response by obese (2.98 micrograms) was similar to that of heterozygous (3.31 micrograms), both being significantly greater than the homozygous lean (1.14 micrograms) or unknown lean rats (1.77 microgram). Total pancreatic insulin in 4-wk obese (19.8 micrograms) was greater than homozygous lean rats (14.5 micrograms). Tolbutamide-stimulated insulin release was significantly greater in 4-wk obese than homozygous lean rats. Exposure to tolbutamide reduced by 60% the second-phase insulin release in both obese and homozygous lean rats during a subsequent 40-min glucose (325 mg/dl) perfusion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Regulation of insulin secretion by energy metabolism in pancreatic B-cell mitochondria. Studies with a non-metabolizable leucine analogue

In mouse pancreatic islets the kinetics of insulin secretion and O2 uptake in response to the non-metabolizable leucine analogue (+/-)-BCH (2-endo- aminonorbornane -2-carboxylic acid) were compared. In addition, the fuel-mobilizing effect of (+/-)-BCH was studied with a mitochondrial fraction from islets. (1) Within 2 min 20 mM-(+/-)-BCH markedly enhanced insulin release or O2 consumption by islets respiring in the absence of exogenous fuels. During prolonged exposure to 20 mM-(+/-)-BCH secretion declined more rapidly than O2 uptake. (2) L-Glutamine (10 mM) prevented the decrease of both insulin release and O2 uptake of islets exposed to 20mM-(+/-)-BCH. During the second phase of insulin release in response to 20 mM-(+/-)-BCH + 10 mM-L-glutamine, kinetics of secretion and respiration correlated closely. (3) Initial peaks were consistently seen in the (+/-)-BCH-induced secretory profiles, but never in the respiratory profiles. (4) In contrast with L-glycerol 3-phosphate, L-malate or pyruvate, L-glutamine or L-glutamate maintained low rates of oxidative phosphorylation in B-cell mitochondria. The effects of L-glutamine or L-glutamate were potentiated severalfold by (+/-)-BCH. (5) The effects of other branched-chain amino acids on oxidative phosphorylation resembled their effects on insulin release, redox state of nicotinamide nucleotides and glutamate dehydrogenase activity. (6) The results support the view that (+/-)-BCH stimulates insulin secretion via a primary enhancement of hydrogen supply to the respiratory chain of B-cell mitochondria.