Glucose dependency of arginine vasopressin-induced insulin and glucagon release from the perfused rat pancreas

The purpose of this study was to investigate the glucose dependency of arginine vasopressin (AVP)-induced insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin release from the perfused rat pancreas. AVP (30 or 300 pmol/L) was tested in the presence of a glucose concentration of 0, 1.4, 5.5 (basal level), or 20 mmol/L. The rates of insulin release at 0 and 1.4 mmol/L glucose were approximately 70% to 80% and 60% to 70% less, respectively, than that at the baseline level. AVP (30 or 300 pmol/L) failed to change insulin release at 0 and 1.4 mmol/L glucose. At the basal glucose level, AVP (300 pmol/L) induced a biphasic insulin release, a peak followed by a sustained phase. In addition, the combination of glucose (20 mmol/L) and AVP (300 pmol/L) induced a higher insulin peak and sustained phase than 20 mmol/L glucose alone. The rates of glucagon release at 0 and 1.4 mmol/L glucose were about 3- and 2-fold more, respectively, than that at the baseline level. At 0 and 1.4 mmol/L glucose, both 30 and 300 pmol/L AVP caused a higher glucagon peak and sustained phase than 0 and 1.4 mmol/L glucose alone. At the basal glucose level, AVP (30 or 300 pmol/L) induced a biphasic glucagon release, a peak followed by a sustained phase. The rate of glucagon release at 20 mmol/L glucose was approximately 60% to 70% less than that at the baseline level. When AVP (300 pmol/L) was administered in 20 mmol/L glucose, it induced a transient glucagon peak, which was 2.4-fold of the baseline level. At all glucose concentrations tested, AVP (30 or 300 pmol/L) failed to change somatostatin release. These results suggested that (1) hypoglycemia directly increases glucagon and decreases insulin release; (2) AVP induces insulin and glucagon release by a direct action on beta and alpha cells, respectively; (3) AVP induces insulin and glucagon release in a glucose-dependent manner-the higher the glucose concentration, the greater the enhancement of AVP-induced insulin release, whereas the lower the glucose concentration, the higher the enhancement of AVP-induced glucagon release; and (4) alpha cells are more sensitive to AVP than beta cells in hormone release.     

The interaction of Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide (VIP), glucose and arginine on the secretion of insulin,glucagon and somatostatin in the perfused rat pancreas

Summary Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide (VIP) increased the release of insulin, glucagon and somatostatin from the perfused rat pancreas. The amount of these hormones released was dependent upon the prevailing glucose concentration. VIP stimulated glucagon release in the absence of glucose, while insulin and somatostatin release were increased by VIP only in the presence of glucose concentrations of 4.4 mmol/l and above. Glucagon secretion stimulated by arginine in the presence of 4.4 mmol/l glucose was potentiated by VIP. In contrast, VIP did not induce any further increase in the secretion of insulin and somatostatin over that stimulated by arginine. At higher concentrations of glucose (6.7, 16.7, and 33.3 mmol/l) VIP continued to stimulate insulin and somatostatin release, this effect being synergistic on early-phase insulin release. The effects of VIP on islet cells thus depend on the levels of modulating nutrients.     

Insulin and glucagon secretion by islets isolated from fetal and neonatal rats

Summary Islets were isolated by mild collagenase digestion and microdissection from rat fetuses 2 days before term and pups 1 or 2 days after birth and their insulin and glucagon secretion studied in vitro. Fetal B cells were stimulated by 16.7 mmol/l glucose, 20 mmol/l leucine or 20 mmol/l arginine. Fetal A cells were not affected by glucose or leucine, but were significantly stimulated by arginine. Somatostatin abolished the effect of arginine on both IRI and IRG output. Neonatal islets proportionally released more insulin and glucagon than their fetal counterparts, but reacted to the tested agents in a similar fashion. During the perinatal period, pancreatic insulin storage increased at a higher rate than that of glucagon. It is concluded that fetal B cells are equipped with sensors to a variety of agents and able to modulate their secretory rate according to the concentration of these agents. A cells are reactive to arginine 2 days before term but do not become glucose reactive until several days after birth.     

Insulin,glucagon, and somatostatin release from the prediabetic Chinese hamster

Summary Diabetes mellitus in the adult Chinese hamster is characterized by subnormal pancreatic insulin release in vitro, decreased insulin content, and lack of obesity. The cause of the islet B-cell failure is not clear. We measured insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin release from in vitro perfused pancreases of young (mean age 10 and 20 weeks), genetically diabetic animals (subline AC, mean plasma glucose 8.0 and 16.6mmol/l, respectively). Compared to age- and sex-matched normal hamsters (subline M, mean plasma glucose 5.3 mmol/l), the younger diabetic animals had a significantly elevated mean plasma glucose level, but net in vitro pancreatic release of insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin was normal. Pancreatic content of insulin and glucagon was also not significantly different from normal. At age 20 weeks, when the plasma glucose of the diabetic animals was even more elevated, pancreatic content and release of insulin were significantly subnormal, whereas glucagon and somatostatin release were normal, and pancreatic content of glucagon was normal. In a similar group of young (mean age 10 weeks) diabetic animals, non-fasting plasma insulin levels were within the normal range, but the corresponding glucose levels were excessive in most of the animals (13 out of 19). In conclusion, 10-week-old diabetic hamsters show mild hyperglycaemia which cannot be accounted for directly by decreased pancreatic release in response to a glucose plus arginine stimulus in vitro. Decreased ability of the B cell to respond in vivo to hyperglycaemia or peripheral resistance to insulin may contribute to later B-cell failure in the older diabetic hamster.     

Regulation of glucagon secretion at low glucose concentrations: evidence for adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channel involvement

Glucagon is a potent counterregulatory hormone that opposes the action of insulin in controlling glycemia. The cellular mechanisms by which pancreatic alpha-cell glucagon secretion occurs in response to hypoglycemia are poorly known. SUR1/K(IR)6.2-type ATP-sensitive K(+) (K(ATP)) channels have been implicated in the glucagon counterregulatory response at central and peripheral levels, but their role is not well understood. In this study, we examined hypoglycemia-induced glucagon secretion in vitro in isolated islets and in vivo using Sur1KO mice lacking neuroendocrine-type K(ATP) channels and paired wild-type (WT) controls. Sur1KO mice fed ad libitum have normal glucagon levels and mobilize hepatic glycogen in response to exogenous glucagon but exhibit a blunted glucagon response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia. Glucagon release from Sur1KO and WT islets is increased at 2.8 mmol/liter glucose and suppressed by increasing glucose concentrations. WT islets increase glucagon secretion approximately 20-fold when challenged with 0.1 mmol/liter glucose vs. approximately 2.7-fold for Sur1KO islets. Glucagon release requires Ca(2+) and is inhibited by nifedipine. Consistent with a regulatory interaction between K(ATP) channels and intra-islet zinc-insulin, WT islets exhibit an inverse correlation between beta-cell secretion and glucagon release. Glibenclamide stimulated insulin secretion and reduced glucagon release in WT islets but was without effect on secretion from Sur1KO islets. The results indicate that loss of alpha-cell K(ATP) channels uncouples glucagon release from inhibition by beta-cells and reveals a role for K(ATP) channels in the regulation of glucagon release by low glucose.     

Insulin and glucagon secretion in essential fatty acid deficient rats

Summary Insulin and glucagon secretion in response to common secretagogues were ascertained in the perfused pancreas isolated from essential fatty acid deficient rats. The pattern of insulin secretory response to glucose (16.7 mmol/l) by isolated rat pancreas perfused for 30 min was biphasic in EFA-deficient and control rat pancreas. The amplitude of glucose-stimulated acute secretion (phase I) was significantly greater (p<0.01) in magnitude and amplitude in EFA-deficient rats than in the control rats. There was no significant difference in the second phase of glucosestimulated insulin secretion in the two groups. Glucagon secretion in EFA-deficient and control rats was inhibited by glucose (16.7 mmol/l). Glucagon secretion induced by L-arginine (10 mmol/l) was not significantly different in EFA-deficient and in control rat pancreata (p>0.05). However, arginine (10 mmol/l)-stimulated insulin release was significantly higher in EFA-deficient than in control rats. Growth hormone (100 nmol/l)-induced glucagon and insulin secretion was variable in the two groups but significantly higher than basal secretion. The level of L-leucine (10 mmol/l)-stimulated glucagon and insulin secretion in EFA-deficient rats was minimal but significant. Our results show that isolated pancreata of rats devoid of precursors for endogenous prostaglandin synthesis secreted insulin and glucagon in response to common secretagogues. On the basis of our data, it is concluded that endogenous prostaglandins are probably not obligatory for normal secretory functions of islets of Langerhans.     

Morphology, yield and functional integrity of islet-like cell clusters in tissue culture of human fetal pancreata obtained after different means of abortion

Morphology, yield and function were studied in cultured islet-like cell clusters (ICC) from 140 human fetal pancreata obtained after abortions of different types performed at 11-23 weeks of gestation (12 by hysterotomy, 75 by mechanical dilation and extraction, and 53 induced with prostaglandin). After collagenase digestion and culture in medium supplemented with 10% human serum, up to 2000 free-floating ICC were formed from a single pancreas. Randomly scattered insulin- and glucagon-immunoreactive cells were found in the medullary part of the ICC. More than 100 ICC developed in 100% of the hysterotomies and 87% of the mechanical abortions, but in only 53% of the prostaglandin-induced abortions. Insulin and glucagon levels in the culture medium decreased rapidly during the first 7 days of culture, but then remained stable for at least 31 days. The hysterotomy-derived ICC responded to 10 mmol/l theophylline plus 20 mmol/l glucose by a 12.2 +/- 3.1 (SEM, N = 7) fold increase in insulin release, as compared with a 5.4 +/- 0.9 fold response of the prostaglandin ICC (N = 16; P less than 0.02). Despite the low proportion of B-cells, (pro)insulin biosynthesis accounted for 10% of the total protein biosynthesis in low (2 mmol/l) glucose. In conclusion, the yield and viability of the ICC were clearly better, if prostaglandin had not been used for the induction of the abortion.     

Acute effects of alloxan- and streptozotocin-induced insulin deficiency on somatostatin and glucagon secretion by the perfused isolated rat pancreatico-duodenal preparation

Summary The secretion of somatostatin and glucagon by the perfused rat pancreatico-duodenal preparation was examined in situ under control conditions and after the induction of acute insulin deficiency by alloxan or streptozotocin. A 10 min 0.625 mmol/l alloxan perfusion resulted in an immediate and transient increase in basal insulin and glucagon release and a slightly delayed and persistent increase in basal somatostatin secretion. The insulin responses to 16.7 mmol/l glucose, 1 mmol/l theophylline, and 19 mmol/l arginine alone or in combination were virtually eliminated by alloxan treatment, Somatostatin secretion in response to the stimuli was completely inhibited or markedly attenuated. The glucagon-suppressive effect of glucose was unaltered by alloxan and the stimulatory effect of arginine was enhanced. Addition of 1 g/ml porcine insulin to the perfusion medium did not modify the alterations in somatostatin and glucagon responses to arginine. Streptozotocin treatment 90 min prior to the onset of perfusion resulted in changes in somatostatin, glucagon, and insulin responses to glucose and arginine similar to those of alloxan. The present results are consistent with an effect of alloxan and streptozotocin on the D cell similar to that on the B cell, namely, interference with a glucose-mediated effect on hormone secretion.     

Interaction of amino acids and cyclic AMP on the release of insulin and glucagon by newborn rat pancreas.

Splenic lobes from the pancreas of newborn rats (48-64) hr. were used for the in vitro investigation of cyclic AMP, glucose and amino acid interaction in hormonal secretion. The slight discrepancy found in glucagon relaease with radioimmunoassay and binding assay to specific receptors in liver does not affect the ratio of stimulated to control values. The insulin release due to gheophylline dibutyrl cyclic AMP (dbcAMP) or to arginine is glucose-dependent as in adult rats and provides an index for the validity of the preparations. Glucose alone is efficient in stimulating insulin release but does not affect glucagon secretion; however simultaneous addition of 10 mM arginine, alanine, and lysine (A.A.) or of arginine alone resulted in a higher glucagon release at 1.6 mM than at 16.7 mM GLUCOSE. Theophylline (5 mM)and dbcAMP (2mM) induced a 2=fold increase in glucagon release at low or hight glucose concentrations .Incubation of theophylline (10 mM) and A.A. or arginine resulted in a considerable increase in glucagon release. Potentation of the 3 A.A.-induced glucagon reby dbcAMP was about 1800% no matter what the glucose concentration; similar observations were made for insulin with a 700% potentiation of the 3 A.A.effect glucagon was released more effectively by dbcAMP than was insulin,whereas the reverse was observed with theophylline. These findings suggest that knowledge of the cyclic AMP content is essential when assessing the influence of substrates on glucagon release. The combination of substrates with cyclic AMP clearly demonstrated that potentiation of glucagon release occurs mainly with amino acids, whereas for insulin occurs mainly with amino acids, whereas for insulin release it is mainly glucose which potentiates release.     

Multiple effects of leucine on glucagon, insulin, and somatostatin secretion from the perfused rat pancreas

The effects of increasing concentrations of leucine (0.2, 2.0, and 15.0 mmol/liter) on glucagon secretion from the perfused rat pancreas were examined at various glucose levels (0, 3.3, or 8.3 mmol/liter) and in the absence or presence of either arginine (5.0 mmol/liter) or glutamine (10.0 mmol/liter). At a low glucose concentration (3.3 mmol/liter), leucine caused a dose-related biphasic increase in glucagon output in the absence of arginine, but only a transient increase in the presence of the latter amino acid. These positive responses were markedly reduced and, on occasion, abolished at a high glucose concentration (8.3 mmol/liter). Moreover, at a low glucose concentration (3.3 mmol/liter) and in the presence of arginine, the highest concentration of leucine (15.0 mmol/liter) provoked a sustained and reversible inhibition of glucagon release. Likewise, leucine (15.0 mmol/liter) reversibly inhibited glucagon secretion evoked by glutamine in the absence of glucose. Thus, leucine exerted a dual effect on the secretion of glucagon, the inhibitory effect of leucine prevailing at a high concentration of the branched chain amino acid and when glucagon secretion was already stimulated by arginine or glutamine. At a physiological concentration (0.2 mmol/liter), however, leucine was a positive stimulus for glucagon release, especially in the absence of another amino acid. Concomitantly, leucine was always a positive stimulus for both insulin and somatostatin secretion. The intimate mechanisms involved in the dual effect of leucine on glucagon secretion remain to be elucidated.     

Regulation by glucose and cyclic nucleotides of the glucagon and insulin release induced by amino acids.

The glucagon and insulin release induced by amino acids was studied in the presence of glucose, dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dbcAMP) or theophylline on the splenic part of the pancreas of new born rats (48 to 64 hours). The results were compared to the literature data. Arginine or a mixture of the three amino acids (A.A.), arginine, lysine or alanine, stimulate glucagon secretion at 1.6 mM glucose. This stimulation is suppressed by 16.7 mM glucose. On the other hand, 16.7 mM glucose potentiates the effect of arginine or of the 3 A.A. on insulin release. At 1.6 mM glucose, theophylline potentiates the effect of 3 A.A. (10 mM each) on glucagon and insulin release : this effect reaches a maximum at 5 mM of theophylline; dbcAMP also potentiates the effect of 3 A.A. on glucagon and insulin release, and the effect of arginine, alanine or lysine on glucagon release. On the beta cell, the lack of potentiation observed between dbcAMP and arginine, lysine or alanine indicates that these A.A. interact positively when mixed together. In the presence of arginine or of the three A.A., the percentage stimulation of glucagon and insulin release depends on the dbcAMP dose and does not vary with the glucose concentration. The increase of glucagon and insulin release observed when the NaCl concentration in the incubation medium decreases cannot account for our results. Cyclic GMP (4 mM) does not modify the glucagon or insulin secretion induced by different concentrations of glucose or by the mixture of A.A. (10 mM each). The stimulating effect of acetylcholine on insulin release would not be related to the cyclic GMP molecule. In conclusion, instead of modifying the specificity of substrate, theophylline or dbcAMP accentuate it: glucose stimulates specifically the beta cell whereas 3 A.A. are more effective on the alpha2 cell than the beta cell. Cyclic AMP suppresses the glucose effect on glucagon release induced by the amino acids. Because of its interaction with glucose and amino acids, cyclic AMP seems to be a very important element in the regulation of the release of these pancreatic hormones.     

Meal-stimulated glucagon release is associated with postprandial blood glucose level and does not interfere with glycemic control in children and adolescents with new-onset type 1 diabetes

CONTEXT: The role of glucagon in hyperglycemia in type 1 diabetes is unresolved, and in vitro studies suggest that increasing blood glucose might stimulate glucagon secretion. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to investigate the relationship between postprandial glucose and glucagon level during the first 12 months after diagnosis of childhood type 1 diabetes. DESIGN: We conducted a prospective, noninterventional, 12-month follow-up study conducted in 22 centers in 18 countries. PATIENTS: Patients included 257 children and adolescents less than 16 yr old with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes; 204 completed the 12-month follow-up. SETTING: The study was conducted at pediatric outpatient clinics. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We assessed residual beta-cell function (C-peptide), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)), blood glucose, glucagon, and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) release in response to a 90-min meal stimulation (Boost) at 1, 6, and 12 months after diagnosis. RESULTS: Compound symmetric repeated-measurements models including all three visits showed that postprandial glucagon increased by 17% during follow-up (P = 0.001). Glucagon levels were highly associated with postprandial blood glucose levels because a 10 mmol/liter increase in blood glucose corresponded to a 20% increase in glucagon release (P = 0.0003). Glucagon levels were also associated with GLP-1 release because a 10% increase in GLP-1 corresponded to a 2% increase in glucagon release (P = 0.0003). Glucagon levels were not associated (coefficient -0.21, P = 0.07) with HbA(1c), adjusted for insulin dose. Immunohistochemical staining confirmed the presence of Kir6.2/SUR1 in human alpha-cells. CONCLUSION: Our study supports the recent in vitro data showing a stimulation of glucagon secretion by high glucose levels. Postprandial glucagon levels were not associated with HbA(1c), adjusted for insulin dose, during the first year after onset of childhood type 1 diabetes.     

Effect of neurotensin on insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin release from isolated pancreatic islets.

The effects of neurotensin on the release of insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin were investigated in isolated pancreatic islets prepared from 3- to 4-day-old rats and maintained in culture for 48 h before use. Islets were incubated for 20 and 60 min in the presence of 3 or 23 mM glucose with or without neurotensin. In 20-min incubations at 3 mM glucose, neurotensin (10-100 nM) increased the release of insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin by 60%, 90%, and 110%, respectively. These increases were not detected in 60-min incubations. Neurotensin (100 nM) inhibited the release of both insulin (by 60-90%) and somatostatin (by 100%) which was induced by 23 mM glucose in 60-min incubations; this inhibitory effect could be detected with neurotensin at a concentration of 1 nM. Neurotensin also significantly inhibited the elevations in glucagon, insulin, and somatostatin release induced by 20 mM arginine. It is concluded that neurotensin exerts a dual effect on the endocrine pancreas in vitro: 1) at low glucose concentration and over short term (20 min) incubations, the peptide stimulates insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin release; and 2) under stimulated conditions (high glucose or arginine), neurotensin inhibits insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin release.     

A role for islet somatostatin in mediating sympathetic regulation of glucagon secretion

Aims/hypothesis: Somatostatin (SST) released from islet δ-cells inhibits both insulin and glucagon secretion but the role of this tonic inhibition is unclear. In this study we investigated whether δ-cell SST may facilitate sympathetic regulation of glucagon secretion as part of an ‘accelerator/brake’ mechanism. Methods: The secretory characteristics of islets isolated from SST-deficient (Sst-/-) and control mouse islets were assessed in static incubation studies. Glucagon and SST release was measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Results: Arginine stimulated both glucagon and SST release from control mouse islets whereas the sympathetic neurotransmitter noradrenaline (NA) increased glucagon secretion but inhibited SST release in the presence of 2 mmol/l glucose or 20 mmol/l arginine. Experiments were performed using Sst-/- islets to assess whether the reduction of SST secretion by NA offers an indirect mechanism of enhancing glucagon release in response to sympathetic activation. Arginine-induced but not NA-induced glucagon release from Sst-/- islets was significantly increased compared to controls. In combination, NA enhanced arginine-induced release from both groups of mouse islets but to a greater extent in control islets, leading to similar overall levels of glucagon release. The responsiveness of Sst-/- islets to NA was thus blunted under stimulatory but not sub-stimulatory conditions of SST release. Conclusions: Our data suggest that sympathetic activation of glucagon release may be partly mediated by an indirect effect on SST secretion, where the tonic inhibition by δ-cell SST on α-cells is removed, facilitating precise and substantial changes in glucagon release in response to NA.     

Insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, and thyrotropin-releasing hormone content and secretion by perifused fetal rat islets during culture

In the neonatal period of the rat, pancreatic thyrotropin-releasing hormone content decreases and the sensitivity of insulin secretion to glucose increases. In adult rat islets, TRH inhibits glucose-induced insulin release. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a high TRH content and release can be part of the explanation for the functional immaturity of neonatal islets. For that purpose, we have measured the tissue content and the secretion of immunoreactive insulin, glucagon, somatostatin and TRH in islets from 21.5-day-old rat fetuses cultured for up to one week. Insulin, glucagon and somatostatin content increased during one week of culture in the presence of 11.1 mmol/l glucose. The TRH content decreased during culture, but did not equal adult values. Insulin, glucagon and somatostatin responses to glucose were present after one week of culture. Glucose had no effect on TRH release in cultured fetal islets, but inhibited TRH release in adult islets. We conclude that glucose can stimulate insulin secretion without inhibiting TRH release, but that a decrease in islet TRH content and a sensitization of TRH secretion to glucose may be important in the full maturation of fetal pancreatic islets.     

Regulation of insulin and glucagon secretion from a human islet cell adenoma.

The regulation of insulin biosynthesis, and insulin and glucagon secretion have been investigated in a human islet cell adenoma, by incubation of tumour fragments. Both biosynthesis and secretion of insulin were strongly stimulated by incubation of islet tumour cells in the presence of increasing glucose concentrations in the range 2-8 mmol/1. However, 20 mM-glucose or 20 mM-glucose plus isobutyl methylxanthine (IBMX), both of which provide potent secretagogues for normal B cells, failed to stimulate proinsulin biosynthesis and secretion from the tumour cells. Overall rates of secretion, expressed as a proportion of total insulin content, were up to 20-fold higher than those expected for normal pancreatic tissue. Glucagon secretion from the tumour was stimulated by low glucose concentrations; normal A cells also respond in this way under these conditions. However, no stimulation of glucagon secretion occurred in the presence of IBMX. There was therefore a major alteration in the regulation both of insulin and glucagon secretion, in that release of neither hormone was stimulated by cyclic AMP. Ultrastructural examination showed the tumour to be rather heterogeneous. A and B cells with normal storage granule content and structure were seen, as well as a rather larger number of B cells containing some granules of atypical appearance. The insulin content of the tumour (13 i.u./g wet wt) was consistent with 6-8% of the tumour cells being B cells.     

Effects of galanin on the release of insulin, glucagon and somatostatin from the isolated, perfused dog pancreas

Galanin is a 29 amino acid peptide which has been found in intrapancreatic nerves. The effects of galanin, adrenergic and cholinergic blockade as well as somatostatin on the hormone release from the isolated perfused dog pancreas were studied. It was found that galanin dose-dependently inhibited insulin (P less than 0.001) and somatostatin (P less than 0.001) but not glucagon secretion at normal glucose levels. The lowest galanin concentration that caused a significant suppression of insulin and somatostatin secretion was 10(-11) and 10(-10) mol/l, respectively. Similar effects were evident during stimulation with 2.5 mmol/l arginine. Galanin (10(-9) mol/l) caused a more pronounced inhibition of insulin and somatostatin secretion at high (10 mmol/l) and normal (5 mmol/l) than at low glucose (1.3 mmol/l). In contrast, suppression of the glucagon secretion was only seen at low glucose (1.3 mmol/l). Perfusion of 10(-6) mol/l of atropine, phentolamine and propranolol had no effect on the galanin-mediated (10(-10) mol/l) inhibition of insulin and somatostatin secretion. Galanin (10(-12)-10(-10) mol/l) and somatostatin (10(-12)-10(-10) mol/l) were equipotent in inhibiting insulin secretion whereas only somatostatin exerted a suppression of the glucagon secretion at normal glucose. Thus, galanin exerts a differential effect on islet hormone secretion and may participate in the hormonal control of insulin, glucagon and somatostatin secretion.     

Interactions of α-ketoisocaproate,glucose and arginine in the secretion of glucagon and insulin from the perfused rat pancreas

Summary The effects of-ketoisocaproate (KIC, 10 mmol/l) on glucagon and insulin release were studied in the in vitro perfused rat pancreas. The experiments were performed at low glucose concentration (3.3 mmol/l) in the absence or presence of arginine (10 mmol/l). In all the experiments KIC induced a marked and not rapidly reversible inhibition of glucagon release. This inhibition was more pronounced in the absence (76 percent) than presence of arginine (61 percent). These inhibitory patterns closely duplicated those which were seen in parallel experiments which included a rise in the concentration of glucose (from 3.3 to 11.1 mmol/l). KIC was also a potent stimulator of insulin release. The results are compatible with the view that the intracellular metabolism of KIC and glucose plays an essential role in the regulation of glucagon release by exogenous substrates.     

Effect of interaction between insulin and glucagon on glucose turnover and FFA concentration in normal and depancreatized dogs

We showed previously that arginine increased glucose production (R_a) and utilization (R_d) synchronously in normal dogs and suggested that this was due to concurrent insulin and glucagon release. In order to investigate the metabolic effects of coincidently elevated insulin and glucagon levels on R_a and R_d, glucagon was infused (1.55 μg/kg/hr) into normal dogs and into depancreatized dogs coincident with graded amounts of insulin (250–3000 μU/kg/min) until the metabolic response of the normal dog was achieved in depancreatized dogs. Main observations: Concurrent insulin and glucagon elevations increased glucose turnover (100%) in normal and depancreatized dogs while maintaining normoglycemia. Glucagon had no appreciable effect on peripheral glucose clearance in depancreatized dogs maintained on basal insulin. The effect of glucagon on R_a was not inhibited by concurrent insulin infusion at rates up to 3000 μU/kg/min. The effect of glucagon on R_a waned with time, indicating that a given insulin/glucagon ratio did not have a sustained effect. Near normal metabolic effects with respect to glucose turnover and FFA concentration were achieved in depancreatized dogs when the normal IRI response to glucagon was reproduced, indicating that the spike pattern of insulin release reflects not only the inherent secretory characteristic of β cells, but also serves an important glucoregulatory function. Glucagon induced an increase in ¹⁴C-glucose recycling, suggesting that it enhanced gluconeogenesis.     

Insulin and glucagon release in the diabetic Chinese hamster: Differences among inbred sublines

Summary Release of insulin and glucagon from perfused pancreases in vitro of 40 normal male and female Chinese hamsters (from one inbred subline) and 110 male and female diabetic hamsters (from three inbred sublines) was measured in response to glucose plus arginine, theophylline alone, or potassium alone, in order to determine if differences in hormone secretion exist among different diabetic sublines. Glucose plus arginine and potassium produced subnormal insulin responses in all three diabetic sublines, whereas theophylline induced normal or above normal insulin responses. Excessive glucagon release was consistently seen in only one diabetic subline. The female normal animals showed greater insulin release than the male normal hamsters in response to glucose plus arginine. This sex difference was not seen in the diabetic animals.