Factors controlling insulin secretion in vitro

Summary The development of techniques for maintaining pancreatic isletsin vitro has made it feasible to study the direct effect of various agents and metabolic changes on -cell function. Glucose has to be metabolized within the -cell to provide the signal for insulin secretion, and the importance of the Krebs' cycle is suggested by experimental results. Glucose also stimulates insulin synthesis, but independently from insulin secretion. Growth hormone and placental lactogen enhance both processes, possibly by facilitating the metabolic breakdown of glucose. The role of catecholamines and glucagon in the regulation of insulin secretion has been defined during the past few years.Original material included in this review resulted from work supported by Grant MT-1202, Medical Research Council of Canada, and by funds of the Hospital for Sick Children.