Exocrine and endocrine pancreatic function in rats treated with alpha-glucosidase inhibitor (acarbose)

Pancreatic exocrine and endocrine secretory dynamics were studied in the isolated perfused pancreata of rats fed a normal diet or a diet supplemented with the alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, acarbose (150 mg/100 g food). After 10 days, the body weight of acarbose-treated rats was slightly lower than that of the control rats despite a larger food intake. Pancreatic amylase levels were significantly decreased, trypsinogen levels were significantly increased, and lipase levels were unaltered in the treated group compared with the controls. Basal and caerulein-stimulated flow rates of pancreatic juice as well as basal amylase output were similar in both groups, whereas caerulein-stimulated amylase output was significantly lower in the acarbose-treated group. Secretory responsiveness of amylase in the treated group was, however, about twice as high as that in the control group when related to pancreatic amylase content. Insulin release in response to either glucose or cerulein was similar in both groups. These findings indicate that treatment with acarbose may alter pancreatic enzyme content without changing the secretory responsiveness of either the exocrine or endocrine pancreas.     

Effect of troglitazone on exocrine pancreas in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus

Abnormality of pancreatic exocrine secretion has been observed in patients with diabetes mellitus. Troglitazone is a novel insulin-sensitizing agent that improves hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia in insulin-resistant diabetes mellitus. We investigated the effect of troglitazone on exocrine pancreas in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes mellitus was induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ (25 mg/kg), and then 0.2% troglitazone containing rat chow was given for 2 weeks. Control diabetic animals received normal rat chow for 2 weeks. Glucose tolerance tests were performed before and after the administration of troglitazone. Pancreas weight, enzyme, protein, and insulin contents in the pancreas were measured. For the exocrine secretory study, pure pancreatic juice was collected hourly. Plasma glucose concentrations stimulated by the oral administration of 2.5 g/kg glucose in the troglitazone-treated group were significantly lower than those in the control group, but not plasma insulin concentrations. Pancreas weight in diabetic rats was less than that in normal rats. Administration of troglitazone resulted in a significant increase in pancreas weight and amylase and trypsin output. However, protein and insulin contents were not affected by the treatment with troglitazone. Both basal and cholecystokinin (CCK-8; 26 pmol/kg/h) stimulated exocrine secretion in juice volume, amylase, and trypsin output were markedly decreased in diabetic rats, compared with those in normal rats. Impaired basal and CCK-stimulated pancreatic exocrine secretion in diabetic rats recovered to the normal levels when troglitazone was given. In conclusion, troglitazone might be effective to restore exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in STZ-diabetic rats.     

Activity of the insulo-acinar axis in the isolated perfused rat pancreas

The object of the present investigation was to determine whether insulin secreted by the endocrine pancreas and carried in the insulo-acinar portal system has a direct effect on pancreatic enzyme secretion. For this purpose, the isolated rat pancreas was perfused in a nonrecirculating system. The perfusate contained 3 mM glucose, and either caerulein or vaso-active intestinal polypeptide was used to stimulate exocrine secretion. The amount of insulin reaching the exocrine pancreas was reduced by two different experimental procedures. In the first, use was made of streptozotocin-diabetic rats treated with insulin in vivo. Treatment was such that the contents of amylase and lipase, vastly altered in the untreated diabetic state, were normalized before the perfusion studies. In the second procedure, insulin reaching the exocrine pancreas was reduced by antiinsulin serum in the perfusate. In these procedures, the reduced insulin bioavailability was associated with a reduction in caerulein- and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-stimulated enzyme release, which was shown as a reduction of maximum responsiveness to caerulein without alteration of sensitivity. By contrast, in dispersed pancreatic acini where the insulo-acinar axis was completely disrupted, amylase secretion from diabetic and nondiabetic tissue was identical over a wide range of caerulein concentrations, showing that the secretory defect seen in the perfusion studies was not inherent to the exocrine tissue. The results show that basal insulin secretion has a direct effect on pancreatic enzyme output and that the insulo-acinar axis may play an important role in the regulation of acinar cell function.     

Relationship between the severity of diabetes mellitus and pancreatic exocrine dysfunction in rats

The relationship between the severity of diabetes mellitus and pancreatic exocrine function was investigated in rats made diabetic by injecting 3 different doses of streptozotocin (30, 45 or 60 mg/kg body weight). The expected correlation was obtained between the dose of streptozotocin and degree of elevation of blood glucose and decrease in pancreatic insulin content. Pancreatic amylase content of the diabetic rats was less than that of control rats and was in parallel with less values in pancreatic insulin content. On the other hand, trypsinogen content of diabetic rats was greater than that of control. Basal and caerulein-stimulated flow rates of pancreatic juice and protein output were similar in the control and in all 3 groups of diabetic rats. In contrast, there was a graded response of amylase and trypsinogen, depending upon the content of each enzyme in the pancreas. Both basal and caerulein-stimulated amylase outputs from diabetic rat pancreas were significantly reduced in parallel with the severity of diabetic state, but were similar to those from the control rats when related to the total pancreatic content. The present findings indicate that pancreatic exocrine dysfunction in diabetes mellitus is closely related to the severity of the disease, but the secretory dynamics in the perfused pancreas are not altered.     

Development and regulation of porcine pancreatic function

Summary A surgical and experimental procedure was developed to enable the collection of pure and inactivated pancreatic juice during the growth of the pig. Studies have shown that, during the suckling period, both the basal and the secretory responses to suckling are low, if present at all. After weaning, basal levels of the total exocrine secretion, total protein, amylase, and trypsin, respectively, increase slightly, while the postprandial levels of total protein, amylase, trypsin, lipase, colipase, and carboxylester lipase, respectively, increase markedly. The pancreatic juice enzyme composition changes qualitatively and the antibacterial activity of the pancreatic juice also significantly increases. Piglet age appeared to be of minor importance, since weaning at either 4 or 6 wk of age gave the same results. Secretin and CCK administered together in supraphysiological doses only significantly affect exocrine function from 3–4 wk of age. However, CCK may also affect the exocrine pancreas indirectly via reflexes initiated intraduodenally. Milk consumption in the suckling pig leads to a postprandial increase in glucose levels but not insulin. Milk, appears to be able to regulate the exocrine pancreas to produce only the amount and type of enzymes required for digestion. Thus, milk components or digestive products may affect pancreas function regulation. Studies show that enterostatin, the procolipase activation peptide, may inhibit pancreatic secretion mediated indirectly through the GI tract. Pancreastatin, an endocrine peptide, inhibits both insulin secretion and protein and trypsin secretion to pancreatic juice. In hypoinsulinemic (alloxan + streptozotocin diabetes) pigs (15–20 kg), no postprandial pancreatic juice response is seen, although CCK 33 + secretin can stimulate pancreatic secretion. Hypoinsulinemic pigs have a reduced capacity for glucose tissue utilization, suggesting that tissue metabolism and exocrine pancreas secretion are related.     

Effect of alpha-glucosidase inhibitor on exocrine and endocrine pancreatic function in rats fed a high-carbohydrate diet consisting of sucrose or glucose

The effect of the alpha-glucosidase inhibitor acarbose on pancreatic exocrine and endocrine function was studied using the isolated perfused pancreata prepared from rats fed a normal (control diet) or an acarbose-containing sucrose- (ACS diet) or glucose-supplemented diet (ACG diet) for 10 days. Pancreatic amylase and insulin contents in rats fed the ACS diet were significantly decreased compared with those in rats with the control diet. Rats fed the ACG diet, however, had normal enzyme and hormone contents. Basal and cerulein-stimulated flow rates of pancreatic juice in rats with the ACS or ACG diet were similar to those in rats fed the control diet, suggesting that the pancreata from rats treated with acarbose have normal sensitivity and responsiveness to cerulein. On the other hand, cerulein-stimulated amylase output was significantly decreased in rats with the ACS diet, but was normal in rats with the ACG diet. Insulin secretion to both glucose and cerulein stimulation in rats fed the ACS diet was reduced by approximately 55% compared with the control rats. On the other hand, rats fed the ACG diet showed normal insulin secretion to glucose stimulation, although the insulin response to cerulein stimulation was reduced by 30%. These results suggest that the addition of acarbose to the sucrose-rich diet decreases the secretory responsiveness of amylase to cerulein stimulation and that of insulin to both glucose and cerulein stimulation. All these alterations, except the sensitivity of B cells to cerulein, can be normalized by replacing sucrose with glucose.     

NO-1886 decreases ectopic lipid deposition and protects pancreatic beta cells in diet-induced diabetic swine

The synthetic compound NO-1886 (ibrolipim) is a lipoprotein lipase activator that has been proven to be highly effective in lowering plasma triglycerides. Recently, we found that NO-1886 also reduced plasma free fatty acids and glucose in high-fat/high-sucrose diet-induced diabetic rabbits. In the current study, we investigated the effects of NO-1886 treatment on ectopic lipid deposition and the islet pathology in miniature swine fed a high-fat/high-sucrose diet. Our results showed that feeding this diet to miniature swine caused insulin resistance, increased lipid deposition in non-adipose tissue, such as in the heart, skeletal muscle, liver and pancreas, and also caused pancreatic beta cell damage. However, supplementing 1% NO-1886 (200 mg/kg per day) into the high-fat/high-sucrose diet decreased ectopic lipid deposition, improved insulin resistance, and alleviated the beta cell damage. These results suggest that improvement of lipid disorder, non-adipose tissue steatosis and insulin resistance may be very important for the protection of beta cell damage. Therefore, NO-1886 is potentially beneficial for the treatment of insulin-resistance syndrome.     

Effect of vanadate administration on blood glucose and insulin levels as well as on the exocrine pancreatic function in streptozotocin-diabetic rats

Summary In the present study, streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats with their corresponding controls, were treated orally with sodium metavanadate. A gradual increase of the vanadate concentration up to 0.8 mg/ml in the drinking water, lowered the blood glucose levels of the diabetic animals to normal values without changing the insulin levels. On the other hand, vanadate did not affect the blood glucose levels of the non-diabetic animals; it did however induce lower levels of circulating insulin in these animals. The lowering of the glycaemic values of the diabetic animals was closely related to the consumption of vanadate. When the treatment was ceased, the blood glucose levels rose rapidly. The diabetic animals responded to the vanadate treatment with two sensitivities; while the large majority of the diabetic animals displayed stable normoglycaemic values, others had fluctuating values. Amylase content in the exocrine pancreas of these two subgroups of animals was studied separately and compared to that from the non-treated control and diabetic animals. The presence of amylase in the pancreatic acinar cells was assessed by the protein A-gold immunocytochemical approach and biochemical determinations. Amylase was found to be very low in the non-treated diabetic animals. Lowering of the blood glucose levels induced by the vanadate treatment restored the amylase to levels similar to those of the controls. However, vanadate-treated diabetic animals with fluctuating levels of blood glucose, demonstrated only a partial recovery of amylase. Thus, vanadate treatment was found to have a normalizing effect on blood glucose levels in diabetic animals as well as restoring amylase content in the pancreas of diabetic animals. This appeared to be closely related to the glycaemic values of the diabetic animals.     

Pancreatic function in the essential fatty acid deficient rat.

The influence of essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiency on pancreatic endocrine and exocrine function was studied in 120-day-old rats. The plasma insulin response was determined after in vivo administration of glucose and arginine. The plasma glucagon response was assessed after infusion of arginine. Islet peptides were examined by immunocytochemistry. The exocrine function of pancreas was studied by amylase secretion in isolated pancreatic acinar cells after stimulation with the cholinergic agonist carbacholine chloride. The EFA-deficient (EFAD) rats showed higher basal plasma insulin concentrations and lower basal glucose levels than control rats (P less than .01 and P less than .01, respectively). The plasma insulin response to glucose was potentiated in the EFAD rats (P less than .001). Both insulin and glucagon responses to arginine were normal. The isolated pancreatic acinar cells showed a low basal amylase secretion, but a normal response to carbacholine chloride. There were no overt morphological changes seen in the pancreas and the immunocytochemical staining pattern of insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, and pancreatic polypeptide cells did not differ from controls. The results of the study show that the secretory function of the endocrine and exocrine pancreas is operational in EFA deficiency. The EFA deficiency was accompanied by a basal hyperinsulinemia and hypoglycemia and an exaggerated insulin response to glucose, the pathophysiology of which has to be further studied.     

Effect of marginal zinc nutriture on protein and lipid metabolism in rat pancreas in vitro

To determine the effect of marginal zinc nutriture on the pancreas, rats were divided into three groups and fed Rodent Blox ad libitum, 4-ppm-zinc-supplemented liquid diet ad libitum, and 50-ppm-zinc-supplemented liquid diet in amounts isocaloric to the 4-ppm-zinc supplemented diet, for a period of 15 wk. Compared to Rodent Blox-fed animals, animals fed diet supplemented with 4 ppm zinc and with 50 ppm zinc had lower body weights and higher pancreas weights in relation to body weight. DNA synthesis and total content and specific activity of amylase were decreased, whereas trypsinogen, chymotrypsinogen, and lipase were not affected in animals fed diet supplemented with 4 ppm zinc (compared with animals fed 50-ppm-zinc-supplemented diet). Lipid studies revealed increased free and esterified cholesterol and a decreased level of triglyceride. Incorporation of¹⁴C-1 -acetate in triglyceride was increased. Electron microscopy showed no change in number, size, and volume fraction of zymogen granules/unit. These studies indicate that marginal zinc nutriture alters the function of the pancreatic acinar cell, independent of the caloric intake in the diet. Although marginal zinc nutriture was expected to impair DNA synthesis, isolated decrease of amylase seems to be mediated through altered insulin and/or glucose homeostasis. Changes observed in lipid metabolism may underlie the membrane pathology associated with zinc deficiency.     

饮食干预对胰岛素抵抗大鼠肝脏组织蛋白激酶B表达的影响

目的在高脂饮食诱导胰岛素抵抗的基础上,观察饮食干预调整对胰岛素抵抗大鼠肝脏蛋白激酶B蛋白（protein kinase B,PKB）表达的影响。方法选取雄性Wistar大鼠30只,分为正常对照组10只,给予低脂饲料;模型组20只,给予高脂饲料。模型组大鼠给予高脂喂养5周后,分为2组：高脂喂养组10只,继续高脂饮食;低脂喂养组10只,给予低脂饮食。干预6周后,蛋白印迹法检测大鼠肝脏组织中胰岛素刺激PKB的蛋白表达含量。结果 （1）5周后,高脂喂养组空腹血糖、胰岛素、三酰甘油、胆固醇及胰岛素抵抗指数（homeostasismodel assessment-insulin resistance index,HOMA-IR）明显升高,胰岛素敏感指数（insulin resistance index,ISI）显著下降,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.01）,出现了胰岛素抵抗,造模成功。（2）低脂饮食干预6周后,与高脂饮食组比较,低脂喂养组大鼠的空腹血糖、三酰甘油、胆固醇及HOMA-IR下降,ISI升高,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。（3）高脂喂养组大鼠肝脏组织中PKB的表达水平明显低于对照组,减少了23.5%,两组PKB表达比较,差异有统计学意义（7.34±0.19 vs.8.97±0.20,t=9.335,P〈0.001）;低脂饮食干预6周后,低脂喂养组PKB蛋白较高脂喂养组增加4.9%,两组比较,差异有统计学意义（7.70±0.18 vs.7.34±0.19,t=10.102,P〈0.001）。结论长期高脂饮食可诱导出胰岛素抵抗,低脂干预后纠正糖脂代谢紊乱,改善胰岛素抵抗,可能与增加肝脏组织中PKB蛋白表达有关。     

Interaction between marginal zinc deficiency and chronic alcoholism: pancreatic structure and function in rats in vitro

The present study was done to determine interaction of ethanol and marginal zinc nutriture on morphology and function of rat pancreas. Sprague-Dawley rats were maintained on Wayne Rodent-Blox ad libitum; marginal zinc-deficient diet plus ethanol ad libitum and pair fed with animals fed marginal zinc-deficient liquid diet and zinc-supplemented liquid diet with ethanol for 33 (+/- 1 SEM) days. Body, pancreas, liver, heart, and kidney weights were determined, and studies of pancreatic DNA, RNA, total proteins and newly labeled proteins, amylase, lipase, trypsinogen, and chymotrypsinogen were done on pancreatic lobules in vitro. Ethanol feeding independent of the zinc content of the diet caused a decrease in zinc content of the liver, body weight, liver and pancreas weight, pancreatic DNA, total protein, and amylase concentration and an increase in lipase and trypsinogen concentrations and in secretion of amylase and lipase. Interaction of the marginal zinc diet and ethanol feeding resulted in a decreased synthesis of RNA and secretion of newly synthesized protein and an increase in secretion of serine proteases. Morphological studies revealed a reduction in the number of zymogen granules in animals fed low levels of zinc, also with an accumulation of lipid droplets when the diet contained ethanol. These studies confirmed our previous observations of specific injury to the pancreas due to marginal zinc nutriture or to ethanol, independent of each other. Marginal zinc nutriture in concert with ethanol resulted in impaired RNA synthesis and secretion of nascent proteins and increased secretion of serine proteases. These data indicate that altered zinc metabolism induced by ethanol per se may contribute to ethanol-induced disturbance of pancreatic function.     

Combined effects of high-fat feeding and circadian desynchronization

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether circadian desynchronization leads to metabolic alterations capable of promoting dietary obesity and/or impairing glucose tolerance. DESIGN: Rats fed either with chow pellets (i.e., low-fat diet with 4% mass of fat) or high-fat diet (34% mass of fat). Half of each diet group was exposed to a fixed light-dark cycle or to a 10-h weekly shift in the light-dark cycle from Thursday to Sunday (20 shifts). To enforce the shifted animals to be active at unusual times of the day, food was available only during the daily dark period for all groups. RESULTS: Shifting the light-dark cycle on a weekly basis was efficient to induce circadian desynchronization, as evidenced by strong disturbances in the daily expression of locomotor activity. Shifted rats fed with a nocturnal low-fat diet had lower plasma insulin and similar blood glucose compared to rats fed with the same diet under a fixed light-dark cycle. Nocturnal high-fat feeding led to an abdominal fat overload associated with increased plasma leptin and basal glucose. These metabolic changes were not significantly modified by circadian desynchronization. CONCLUSION: Chronic desynchronization with low-fat diet impaired insulin regulation. Metabolic changes induced by the high-fat diet were not aggravated by chronic desynchronization.     

Influence of an absorbable alpha-glucosidase inhibitor (Bay o 1248) on the endocrine and exocrine pancreas of the rat

The influence of an absorbable glucosidase inhibitor (Bay o 1248) on the endocrine and exocrine rat pancreas was evaluated. Rats fed a standard diet containing Bay o 1248 over 10 days consumed less food, gained about 30% less body weight than controls and showed meteorism. In these animals postprandial plasma insulin and glucose levels were decreased, but the total pancreatic insulin content was not different versus controls. The early insulin secretory response studied by pancreas perfusions was found reduced after a stimulatory glucose load (10 mM). Addition of the glucosidase inhibitor (1 mM) to the incubation medium diminished the glucose-induced insulin release from isolated islets of rats fed a standard diet. The compound added to the perfusion medium (10 microM) induced a slight reduction of half-maximal glucose-induced (10 mM) insulin release from the perfused pancreas. This inhibitory effect disappeared during maximal stimulation (20 mM glucose) of insulin secretion. The compound neither altered basal nor arginine-induced (15 mM) insulin release from the perfused organ. The exocrine pancreas was studied after feeding a Bay o 1248-enriched standard diet over 10 days. Amylase and trypsin concentration and total output into the biliary-pancreatic juice in response to CCK and secretin (20 IU or CU/kg body weight each) were diminished. The pancreatic enzyme content did not differ compared to controls. A significant role of carbohydrate maldigestion, systemic effects of the glucosidase inhibitor, and endocrine-exocrine pancreatic interrelations are discussed to account for the effects of the compound on the rat pancreas.     

Influence of short- and long-term feeding of an alpha-amylase inhibitor (BAY e 4609) on the exocrine pancreas of the rat

The effect of feeding an alpha-amylase inhibitor (BAY e 4609, 700 mg/100 g food) for 20 or 90 days on the enzymes of the exocrine pancreas of the rat was investigated. The amylase inhibitor-fed rats gained significantly less weight despite a higher food intake than control rats on a standard diet. Fecal weight increased threefold. Pancreatic wet weight, pancreatic DNA, protein and insulin concentrations were not influenced. The amylase content of the pancreas was significantly diminished compared with controls. The trypsin level increased and the changes in the amount of lipase were not significant. Also in response to an infusion of 15 or 60 IU CCK/kg/h combined with 0.5 clinical units of secretin/kg/h amylase secretion was significantly diminished after both feeding periods compared with controls, while trypsin output increased as did the output of lipase to a lesser extent. The enzyme pattern of the pancreatic juice reverted to normal when the animals consumed the control diet again. Gut weight and length increased significantly in the experimental animals. It is concluded that the changes in the pancreatic enzymes are induced by altered food intake. The amylase inhibitor prevents the digestion of starch and by this carbohydrate absorption. As a consequence, hyperphagia develops resulting in an increased protein and fat intake. Unlike trypsin a negative feedback regulation does not exist between alpha-amylase concentration in the gut and pancreatic enzyme secretion.     

Effect of exogenous insulin and glucagon on exocrine pancreatic secretion in rats in vivo.

BACKGROUND: The physiological roles of the islet hormones insulin and glucagon in the control of exocrine pancreatic secretion is not clear. It is still unknown whether these hormones have a stimulatory or an inhibitory effect on the basal exocrine pancreatic secretion. METHODS: Thirty anesthetized rats were stimulated with doses of insulin and glucagon administered by continuous intravenous infusion. Doses varying from physiological to supraphysiological were used. Different groups of 5 rats were given each of these doses. The volume of pancreatic juice and amylase, lipase and trypsin activity, as well as enzyme output, were measured 0, 20, 40, and 60 min after starting infusion. The insulin, glucagon, and glucose levels were determined in serum at 0, 10, 30, and 60 min. RESULTS: In the insulin group, the secreted volume of pancreatic juice increases with the maximum dose. All insulin doses results in amylase and lipase decreased activity. When submaximum and maximum insulin doses are administered, the trypsin activity also decreases. In the glucagon group, the activity of lipase and trypsin decreases regardless the dose, whereas the amylase activity decreases with submaximum and supramaximum doses. CONCLUSION: Both insulin and glucagon affect the basal exocrine pancreatic secretion in vivo when physiological doses are administered.     

The effects of cholestyramine on pancreatic secretion]

The objective was to evaluate the effect of biliary salt depletion on morphology and function of the exocrine pancreas. Cholestyramine (15 g/day) was given during fifteen days to male Wistar rats in order to evaluate changes in pancreas weight as well as in enzymatic content of pancreatic tissue and duodenal juice (amylase, lipase and trypsinogen); in duodenal juice, bile salt concentration was also measured; Moreover ultrastructure of the exocrine pancreas was studied. Our results show an increase in pancreas weight in rats treated with cholestyramine, with a significant increase of amylase (p < 0.05) and trypsinogen in pancreatic tissue (p < 0.01), and of lipase in duodenal juice (p < 0.05). Ultrastructural changes were absent. It is concluded that cholestyramine, probably through a bile salt depletion, stimulates pancreatic function and growth, as well as lipase secretion.     

Effect of exogenous insulin and glucagon on exocrine pancreatic secretion in rats in vivo

Summary Background. The physiological roles of the islet hormones insulin and glucagon in the control of exocrine pancreatic secretion is not clear. It is still unknown whether these hormones have a stimulatory or an inhibitory effect on the basal exocrine pancreatic secretion. Methods. Thirty anesthetized rats were stimulated with doses of insulin and glucagon administered by continuous intravenous infusion. Doses varying from physiological to supraphysiological were used. Different groups of 5 rats were given each of these doses. The volume of pancreatic juice and amylase, lipase and trypsin activity, as well as enzyme output, were measured 0, 20, 40, and 60 min after starting infusion. The insulin, glucagon, and glucose levels were determined in serum at 0, 10, 30, and 60 min. Results. In the insulin group, the secreted volume of pancreatic juice increases with the maximum dose. All insulin doses results in amylase and lipase decreased activity. When submaximum and maximum insulin doses are administered, the trypsin activity also decreases. In the glucagon group, the activity of lipase and trypsin decreases regardless the dose, whereas the amylase activity decreases with submaximum and supramaximum doses. Conclusion. Both insulin and glucagon affect the basal exocrine pancreatic secretion in vivo when physiological doses are administered.     

Effect of acarbose on exocrine and endocrine pancreatic function in the rat

Exocrine and endocrine pancreatic function were studied simultaneously in the isolated perfused pancreas from rats fed a normal or an acarbose-containing diet (150 mg/100 g food) for 20 days. Body weight gain of acarbose-treated rats was slightly lower than that of control rats, despite a larger food intake. Basal and caerulein-stimulated flow rates of pancreatic juice from acarbose-treated rat pancreases were similar to those from controls, suggesting that the treated rat pancreas has normal sensitivity and responsiveness to caerulein. On the other hand, amylase output in response to caerulein was significantly decreased in acarbose-treated rat pancreases, though basal output was normal. The addition of acarbose to the diet for 20 days had no effect on the speed of the insulin response to glucose and caerulein, but the magnitude of insulin secretion to glucose stimulation was reduced by 40% and the caerulein-induced additional output of insulin by 30% in the treated group as compared with the control group. The present investigation has demonstrated that inhibition of key enzymes for carbohydrate digestion decreases not only the secretory responsiveness of amylase from acinar cells to caerulein stimulation but also the sensitivity of the insulin-secretory mechanism of pancreatic B cells to glucose and non-glucose stimulation.     

Skeletal muscle subsarcolemmal mitochondrial dysfunction in high-fat fed rats exhibiting impaired glucose homeostasis

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether changes in body energy balance induced by long-term high-fat feeding in adult rats could be associated with modifications in energetic behaviour and oxidative stress of skeletal muscle subsarcolemmal (SS) and intermyofibrillar (IMF) mitochondrial populations. DESIGN: Adult rats were fed low-fat or high-fat diet for 7 weeks. MEASUREMENTS: Body energy balance and composition analysis together with plasma insulin and glucose level determination in the whole animal. Oxidative capacity, basal and induced proton leaks as well as aconitase and superoxide dismutase activities in SS and IMF mitochondria from skeletal muscle. RESULTS: High-fat fed rats exhibit increased body lipid content, as well as hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycaemia and higher plasma non-esterified fatty acids. In addition, SS mitochondria display lower respiratory capacity and a different behaviour of SS and IMF mitochondria is found in the prevention from oxidative damage. CONCLUSIONS: A deleterious consequence of decreased oxidative capacity in SS mitochondria from rats fed high-fat diet would be a reduced utilization of energy substrates, especially fatty acids, which may lead to intracellular triglyceride accumulation, lipotoxicity and insulin resistance development. Our results thus reveal a possible role for SS mitochondria in the impairment of glucose homeostasis induced by high-fat diet.