5-hydroxytryptamine stimulates 86Rb+ efflux from pancreatic beta-cells

Mechanism of sarpogrelate action in improving cardiac function in diabetes

Although sarpogrelate, a 5-HT(2A) receptor antagonist, has been reported to exert beneficial effects in diabetes, the mechanisms of its action are not understood. In this study, diabetes was induced in rats by an injection of streptozotocin (65 mg/kg) and the animals were assessed 7 weeks later. Decreased serum insulin as well as increased serum glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in diabetic animals were associated with increased blood pressure and heart/body weight ratio. Impaired cardiac performance in diabetic animals was evident by decreased heart rate, left ventricular developed pressure, rate of pressure development, and rate of pressure decay. Treatment of diabetic animals with sarpogrelate (5 mg/kg) or insulin (10 units/kg) daily for 6 weeks attenuated the observed changes in serum insulin, glucose, and lipid levels as well as blood pressure and cardiac function by varying degrees. Protein content for membrane glucose transporters (GLUT-1 and GLUT-4) was depressed in diabetic heart; the observed alteration in GLUT-4 was partially prevented by both sarpogrelate and insulin, whereas that in GLUT-1 was attenuated by sarpogrelate only. Incubation of myoblast cells with sarpogrelate and insulin stimulated glucose uptake; these effects were additive. 5-hydroxytryptamine was found to inhibit glucose-induced insulin release from the pancreas; this effect was prevented by sarpogrelate. These results suggest that sarpogrelate may improve cardiac function in chronic diabetes by promoting the expression of membrane glucose transporters as well as by releasing insulin from the pancreas.

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide: effects on insulin release in isolated mouse islets in relation to metabolic status and age

Obesity and development of the metabolic syndrome is related to an increased parasympathetic tone and hyperinsulinemia. We have now studied the effects of age and metabolic status on glucose-induced insulin release stimulated by the neuropeptides vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP; 10 nM) and pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP; 10 nM), that are constituents of the parasympathetic nerves in the islets, and the cholinergic agonists acetylcholine (ACh; 10 microM) and carbachol (10 microM), in isolated islets from female obese ob/ob mice and lean mice. Both VIP and PACAP enhanced insulin secretion in islets from 4-week-old hyperglycemic ob/ob mice. VIP did not increase 11.1 mM glucose-induced insulin release in islets from 4-week-old lean normoglycemic mice and neither did PACAP in the absence of bicarbonate. The neuropeptides increased insulin release in islets from 9 to 10-month-old mice but VIP and PACAP had no effect in islets from very old mice. ACh had no effect in islets from 9 to 10-months and older ob/ob mice in the absence of bicarbonate. The combination of VIP and cholinergic agonists had an additive effect in islets from ob/ob mice, and PACAP combined with carbachol potentiated insulin release in islets from 4-week-old lean mice. VIP increased early phase insulin release in perifused islets from young mice. A higher concentration of theophylline was needed to potentiate glucose-induced insulin release in islets from young lean mice than in islets from old lean mice and ob/ob mice. The present results demonstrate age-related dynamics in the effects of neuropeptides affecting cAMP in pancreatic islets. We suggest that VIP and PACAP contribute to the developing metabolic syndrome in ob/ob mice by aggravating hyperinsulinemia.

Effects of cholinergic m-receptor agonists on insulin release in islets from obese and lean mice of different ages: the importance of bicarbonate

OBJECTIVES

Decreased beta-cell function is often observed in older individuals and may predispose to the development of type 2 diabetes. We have studied the age-related effects of M-receptor agonism on insulin release in islets isolated from female ob/ ob and lean mice.

METHODS

Islets were challenged with 11.1 or 16.7 mmol/L glucose in media with HCO3/CO2 (KRBH) or without (KRH).

RESULTS

Acetylcholine (ACh) (10 micromol/L) increased glucose-induced insulin release in islets from 4- to 5-week-old ob/ob mice both in KRBH and KRH. In islets from 9- to 13-month-old ob/ob mice, 10 micromol/L ACh and 10 micromol/L carbachol enhanced insulin release in KRBH but not in KRH. ACh increased insulin release in islets from 4- to 5-week-old and 16-month-old lean mice incubated in KRH but not in islets from 24-month-old lean mice. The Na/H exchange inhibitor dimethylamiloride (100 micromol/L) did not affect insulin release stimulated by M-receptor agonists. Carbachol did not enhance glucose-induced insulin secretion in islets from 9- to 10-month-old ob/ob mice in the presence of low extracellular Na concentration. ACh stimulated cytoplasmic Ca mobilization in islets from 9- to 10-month-old mice also when bicarbonate was omitted. The results suggest that cholinergic signal transduction involving extracellular bicarbonate and Na is reduced with age in mouse pancreatic islets.

CONCLUSION

Chronic hyperglycemia may add to the age-related decrease in M-receptor-mediated insulin release by affecting the buffering capacity of the islets through mechanisms other than amiloride-sensitive proton exchange.

Influence of melatonin and serotonin on glucose-stimulated insulin release from perifused rat pancreatic islets in vitro

Insulin plays a key role in the control of glucose homeostasis in mammals. Insulin secretion is regulated by a coordinated interplay of several factors. The role of the indoleamines in the control of insulin secretion has not been fully elucidated yet. The present study was addressed to investigate the function of melatonin and serotonin in the direct control of insulin secretion from the pancreatic islets. Explanted rat Langerhans' islets were treated with melatonin or serotonin while also being exposed to specific (glucose) or non-specific (KCl) stimulus either in a pulsatile or long-term manner in a perifusion system. Insulin content from the effluent tissue culture media was analyzed with RIA. Pulsatile administration of melatonin and serotonin alone did not alter the basal insulin secretion from the explanted islets even at pharmacological (5 microM) level. However, insulin response to specific (glucose) or non-specific (KCl) stimulus was significantly reduced while the islets were treated with melatonin (3 to 12 hr, 10 nM to 5 microM). This effect was reversible and repeatable. Both the start and end of the effect was rapid, evolving and disappearing within 10 min. On the other hand, under similar experimental protocol, serotonin (at 5 microM concentration) significantly enhanced both glucose and KCl stimulated insulin release. Since the effect of the non-specific stimulation (with KCl) was also altered, melatonin and serotonin seem to alter not only the release but also the synthesis of the insulin. Our data show that melatonin and serotonin have a direct effect on the insulin secretion from the pancreatic islets.

Different effects of somatostatin on in vitro growth hormone release in two porcine breeds with different growth rates

A perifusion system of anterior pituitary (AP) tissue was used to investigate the temporal interaction of growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) and somatostatin (SRIF) in the control of GH secretion in two pig breeds, Göttingen Miniature Pig (GMP), a small obese breed, and German Landrace (GLR), a conventional lean breed. AP tissue pieces derived from sexually mature ovariectomized animals were perifused (6 replicates per treatment) and fractions were collected at 10 min intervals. Basal GH release (ng.ml-1.mg-1 AP) in GLR was twice that of GMP (P < 0.001). Exposure to 10 min pulses of 1 nM GRF repeated 3 times at 2 h intervals resulted in rapid stimulatory GH responses (area under the curve) which became attenuated (P < 0.05) over time in GMP but not in GLR. Surprisingly, during and following the exposure of AP tissue from GMP to 10-, 20-, or 40-min pulses of 10 nM SRIF alone, GH release was markedly stimulated (P < 0.05), while AP tissue from GLR only showed a weak rebound GH release after SRIF pulses. With AP tissue from GLR low concentrations (0.1 nM SRIF) amplified GRF-induced GH release, whereas 1 nM or 10 nM SRIF inhibited GRF-induced GH release. However, concomitant exposure of AP tissue from GMP to 0.1, 1 or 10 nM SRIF during a GRF pulse markedly enhanced the GH response (P < 0.05), compared to 1 nM GRF alone, except for 1 nM SRIF which inhibited the GH response to the first GRF pulse. Thus the presence of SRIF, and not only its withdrawal, is an important factor in setting the timing and duration of GH pulses in both breeds. In GLR the concentration of SRIF is more important than the duration and/or type of SRIF pulse. In contrast, in GMP type and/or duration of SRIF pulses seem to be crucial to optimize pulsatile GH release and even determine peak height of GH pulses caused by GRF. These findings indicate clear breed differences in the role of SRIF and in the control of GH release by the interplay of GRF and SRIF. The "paradoxical' effect of SRIF suggests that the role of SRIF is much more complex than that of a mere inhibitor and whose real role could be a modulator either of GH pulse and/or GRF action on GH release.

Comparison of the effects of perchlorate and Bay K 8644 on the dynamics of cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration and insulin secretion in mouse beta-cells

Non-inbred ob/ob mice were used to study the dynamics of cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in isolated pancreatic beta-cells using microfluorimetry with fura 2/AM as probe, and the dynamics of insulin secretion in isolated pancreatic islets. D-Glucose (20 mM) caused a transient peak increase in [CA2+]i which changed to either an oscillating or a flat, elevated phase. The lag-time before the first peak increase in [Ca2+]i was markedly shortened by 12 mM ClO4- and the glucose-stimulated level of [Ca2+]i after the first peak was clearly elevated by the anion. ClO4- did not change the basal [Ca2+]i at 3 mM glucose. Extracellular Ca2+ deficiency abolished the effect of high glucose and ClO4- on [Ca2+]i. This suggests that ClO4- acts as an amplifier of transmembrane Ca2+ inflow. The L-type Ca2+ channel agonist, Bay K 8644 (0.01-1.0 microM), strictly reproduced all the effects of perchlorate on the glucose-stimulated beta-cell [Ca2+]i. Both phases of insulin release (20 mM glucose) were markedly enhanced by ClO4- (12 mM) or Bay K 8644 (1.0 microM). The lag-time for glucose-stimulated insulin release was shortened by both agents. Taken together, these data strengthen the idea that perchlorate amplifies the glucose-stimulation of [Ca2+]i and insulin release by directly modifying the function of the L-type Ca2+ channel. This effect can induce both a more prompt onset of and an amplified level of beta-cell secretory activity.

Development of insulin secretory function in young obese hyperglycemic mice (Umeå ob/ob)

The obese-hyperglycemic syndrome is well characterized in adult mice. However, little is known about islet morphology and function at an early age when obese mice islets start to proliferate. We have now studied islet morphology and functional development in obese-hyperglycemic mice (Umeå ob/ob) and their lean littermates at ages < or = 38 days. The weight of obese mice began to increase more than that of the lean littermates at days 8 to 12. At day 18, clinical diagnosis of the ob/ob syndrome could be made with 100% certainty. Islets from obese mice started to show enhanced growth rate during week 4, coinciding with the time of onset of hyperglycemia. 3H-thymidine labeling index is enhanced in ob/ob mice from day 22. Insulin secretion in islets from mice aged 18 to 21 days was the same in obese and lean mice from the same litter. At days 30 to 33, second-phase release and islet insulin content were decreased in islets from obese animals, but were restored after an overnight fast. It is likely that the hyperglycemia rather than increased insulin demand triggers increased beta-cell growth.

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.

Volume regulation in mouse pancreatic beta-cells is mediated by a furosemide-sensitive mechanism

A possible role for loop diuretic-sensitive Cl-/cation cotransport in volume regulation in the pancreatic beta-cells was investigated by measuring 86Rb+ efflux from beta-cell-rich pancreatic islets as well as the size of isolated beta-cells under different osmotic conditions. Lowering the osmolarity to 262 mosM (83% of control) resulted in a rapid cell swelling which was followed by regulatory volume decrease (RVD). RVD was completely inhibited by furosemide (1 mM), an inhibitor of Cl-/cation co-transport. The hypotonic medium (262 mosM) induced a rapid and strong increase in 86Rb+ efflux from beta-cell-rich mouse pancreatic islets and the furosemide-sensitive portion of the efflux was significantly increased. A slightly less hypotonic medium (285 mosM, 90% of control) induced only cell swelling and no RVD. With this medium only a marginal increase in 86Rb+ efflux was observed. Increasing the osmolarity by adding 50 mM NaCl (final osmolarity: 417 mosM, 132% of control) induced a rapid cell shrinkage but no regulatory volume increase (RVI). When the osmolarity was increased from a slightly hypotonic medium (262 mosM) to an isotonic medium (317 mosM) an initial cell shrinkage was followed by RVI. This RVI was inhibited by 1 mM furosemide. The data suggest that RVD as well as RVI in the beta-cells are mediated by loop diuretic-sensitive cotransport of chloride and cations and that these cells show a threshold for hypotonic stimulation of RVD.

Bumetanide reduces insulin release by a direct effect on the pancreatic beta-cells

The effect of the loop diuretic bumetanide on glucose-induced insulin release, 45Ca2+ uptake, 36Cl- fluxes and 86Rb+ (K+ analogue) efflux was tested in isolated beta-cell-rich mouse pancreatic islets. Low concentrations of bumetanide (0.1-10 microM) reduced glucose-induced insulin release as well as 45Ca2+ uptake. High concentrations (0.5-1 mM) augmented glucose-induced insulin release and an intermediate concentration (100 microM) had no effect. Bumetanide (0.01-1 mM) reduced the islet accumulation of 36Cl-. The net efflux of 36Cl- in the presence of 20 mM D-glucose was reduced by a concentration (10 microM) that lowered glucose-induced insulin release. Bumetanide (10 microM) did not affect the rate coefficient for 36Cl- efflux, which suggests that chloride permeability is not affected. Bumetanide (10 microM) reduced 86Rb+ efflux from preloaded islets. The data show that bumetanide reduces insulin release by a direct effect on pancreatic beta-cells and suggest that this may be due to reduced chloride accumulation by a Na+, K+, Cl- co-transport system. It is suggested that the reduced chloride level is responsible for the decrease in glucose-induced chloride efflux and insulin release.

Na+ participates in loop diuretic-sensitive Cl(-)-cation co-transport in the pancreatic beta-cells

In order to investigate whether Na+ participates in loop diuretic-sensitive Cl(-)-cation co-transport in the beta-cells, we tested the interaction between the effects of Na+ deficiency, furosemide and D-glucose on 86Rb+ fluxes in beta-cell-rich mouse pancreatic islets. Removal of extracellular Na+ slightly reduced the ouabain-resistant 86Rb+ influx and the specific effect of 1 mM furosemide on this influx was significantly smaller in Na(+)-deficient medium. The capacity of 20 mM D-glucose to reduce the ouabain-resistant 86Rb+ influx was not changed by removal of extracellular Na+. The 86Rb+ efflux from preloaded islets was rapidly and reversibly reduced by Na+ deficiency. Furosemide (1 mM) reduced the 86Rb+ efflux and the effect of the combination of Na+ deficiency and 1 mM furosemide was not stronger than the effect of furosemide alone. 22Na+ efflux was reduced by both ouabain and furosemide and the effects appeared to be additive. The data suggest that Na+ participates in loop diuretic-sensitive Cl(-)-cation co-transport in the pancreatic beta-cells. This adds further support to the idea that beta-cells exhibit a Na+, K+, Cl- co-transport system. Since some of the furosemide effect on 86Rb+ efflux persisted in the Na(+)-deficient medium, it is likely that also loop diuretic-sensitive K+, Cl- co-transport exists in this cell type.

Growth hormone-releasing factor induces a biphasic modulation of K+ permeability in perfused cultured rat somatotrophs

Growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) induced a biphasic response in 86Rb outflow in rat somatotrophs. An early inhibition was observed at all GRF concentrations tested, I pM-10 nM, and this was followed by a later increase. The increase in 86Rb outflow rate came earlier at high GRF concentrations and GRF had a dose-related effect on the magnitude of the increase. The effects of GRF on 86Rb outflow were observed also in the absence of extracellular calcium. Peak growth hormone release preceded peak 86Rb outflow rate. The timing of the effects of GRF on potassium outflow is consistent with the hypothesis that reduced potassium outflow is involved in somatotroph depolarization leading to increased exocytosis, followed by a later increase in potassium outflow leading to repolarization.

An ultrastructural and functional characterization of rat somatotrophs highly enriched on a continuous Percoll density gradient

We here describe the use of a continuous Percoll density gradient in preparing a fraction of consistently more than 95% rat somatotrophs. Recovery was about 50% and cell viability 98-99.5%. Two groups of somatotrophs were identified, one (74-82%, type II) heavily and another (18-26%, type I) sparsely granulated. Freshly prepared somatotrophs responded to growth hormone-releasing factor but the responsiveness was greatly enhanced after 3 days' culture. Electron microscopy revealed a well-preserved morphological integrity in both freshly prepared and cultured somatotrophs. culture reduced the average granule profile area and granule volume density of type II cells. This population of pure and well-functioning somatotrophs is suited for studies on the cellular mechanisms involved in growth hormone secretion.

Furosemide and Ca2+ affect 86Rb+ efflux from pancreatic beta-cells by different mechanisms

The interaction between furosemide, calcium and D-glucose on the 86Rb+ efflux from beta-cell-rich mouse pancreatic islets was investigated in a perifusion system with high temporal resolution. Raising the glucose concentration from 4 to 20 mM induced an initial decrease in 86Rb+ efflux, which was followed by a steep increase and then a secondary decrease. Removal of extracellular calcium increased the 86Rb+ efflux at 4 mM D-glucose but reduced it at 20 mM. The initial biphasic changes in 86Rb+ efflux induced by 20 mM D-glucose were inhibited by calcium deficiency. Furosemide (100 microM) reduced the 86Rb+ efflux rate both at 4 and 20 mM D-glucose and the magnitudes appeared to be similar at either glucose concentration. Furosemide (100 microM) reduced the glucose-induced (10 mM) 45Ca+ uptake but did not affect the basal (3 mM D-glucose) 45Ca+ uptake. However, the ability of furosemide (100 microM) to reduce the 86Rb+ efflux at a high glucose concentration (20 mM) was independent of extracellular calcium. The inhibitory effects of furosemide and calcium deficiency on the 86Rb+ efflux rate appeared to be additive. It is concluded that the effect of furosemide on 86Rb+ efflux is not secondary to reduced calcium uptake and that the effects of furosemide and calcium deficiency are mediated by different mechanisms. The effect of furosemide is compatible with inhibition of loop diuretic-sensitive co-transport of Na+, K+ and Cl- and the effect of calcium deficiency with reduced activity of calcium-regulated potassium channels.

Evidence for co-transport of sodium, potassium and chloride in mouse pancreatic islets

1. The presence of a loop diuretic-sensitive co-transport system for Na+, K+ and Cl- was tested in isolated pancreatic islets. 2. Substitution of Cl- with the impermeant anion isethionate or addition of frusemide both reduced the ouabain-resistant islets uptake of 86Rb+ (K+ marker) without affecting the ouabain-sensitive uptake or equilibrium content of 86Rb+. The effects of Cl- substitution and frusemide were overlapping. 3. D-Glucose reduced the ouabain-resistant islets uptake of 86Rb+. This effect was additive to the effect of Cl- substitution or frusemide. 4. Substitution of Cl- with isethionate or addition of frusemide both reduced the efflux of 86Rb+ from the islets. These effects were additive to the reduction of 86Rb+ efflux induced by D-glucose. 5. Substitution of K+ or Na+ with choline reduced the equilibrium content of 36Cl- in the pancreatic islets. 6. These data are compatible with the operation in the pancreatic beta-cells of a loop diuretic-sensitive co-transport system for Na+, K+ and Cl-, that may serve as an inwardly directed Cl- pump.

Effect of perchlorate on calcium uptake and insulin secretion in mouse pancreatic islets

Microdissected beta-cell-rich pancreatic islets of non-inbred ob/ob mice were used in studies of how perchlorate (CIO4-) affects stimulus-secretion coupling in beta-cells. CIO4- at 16 mM potentiated D-glucose-induced insulin release, without inducing secretion at non-stimulatory glucose concentrations. The potentiation mainly applied to the first phase of stimulated insulin release. In the presence of 20 mM-glucose, the half-maximum effect of CIO4- was reached at 5.5 mM and maximum effect at 12 mM of the anion. The potentiation was reversible and inhibitable by D-mannoheptulose (20 mM) or Ca2+ deficiency. CIO4- at 1-8 mM did not affect glucose oxidation. The effects on secretion were paralleled by a potentiation of glucose-induced 45Ca2+ influx during 3 min. K+-induced insulin secretion and 45Ca2+ uptake were potentiated by 8-16 mM-CIO4-. The spontaneous inactivation of K+-induced (20.9 mM-K+) insulin release was delayed by 8 mM-CIO4-. The anion potentiated the 45Ca2+ uptake induced by glibenclamide, which is known to depolarize the beta-cell. Insulin release was not affected by 1-10 mM-trichloroacetate. It is suggested that CIO4- stimulates the beta-cell by affecting the gating of voltage-controlled Ca2+ channels.

Potassium and chloride fluxes are involved in volume regulation in mouse pancreatic islet cells

Potassium and chloride transport were measured in beta-cell-rich islets from ob/ob-mice using 36Cl- and 86Rb+ (K+-analogue). Reduction of the osmolarity from the normal 317 mosm l-1 to 180 mosm l-1 reduced the apparent content of K+ and Cl-. Hypo-osmolarity had no effect on the ouabain-sensitive portion of the Rb+ influx (Na+/K+ pump), but reduced the ouabain-resistant portion of the influx. Hypo-osmolarity also strongly increased the Rb+ efflux rate. Both tetracaine (0.5 mM) and glibenclamide (20 microM), which increase the osmotic resistance of pancreatic beta cells, significantly potentiated the reduction in apparent K+ content induced by hypo-osmolarity. This study suggests that the volume regulation in pancreatic beta cells is partly due to K+ and Cl- flux and that glibenclamide and tetracaine increase the osmotic resistance of the beta cells by affecting such ion transport.

Effect of intracellular alkalinization on pancreatic islet calcium uptake and insulin secretion

Microdissected beta-cell-rich pancreatic islets of ob/ob mice were used in studies of the relationship between intracellular pH (pHi) and 45Ca2+ uptake and insulin release. Stepwise increases in extracellular pH (pHo) from 6.80 to 8.00 resulted in a parallel, although less pronounced, elevation of pHi from 7.24 to 7.69. Experimental conditions that alkalinize the islet cell interior, i.e. addition of 5 mM-NH4+, sudden withdrawal of extracellular bicarbonate buffer or increase in pHo, induced insulin secretion in the absence of other types of secretory stimulation (1 mM-D-glucose). Intracellular acidification by lowering pHo below 7.40 or sudden addition of bicarbonate buffer did not induce insulin secretion. The removal of extracellular bicarbonate buffer, increase in pHo from 7.40 to 8.00, or the addition of 5 mM-L-5-hydroxytryptophan or 5 mM-NH4+, which all alkalinize the islet cells and induce insulin secretion, also increased the La3+-non-displaceable 45Ca2+ uptake in the presence of 1 mM-D-glucose. The results suggest that intracellular alkalinization in beta-cells can trigger insulin secretion. Taken together with the fact that D-glucose increases pHi in the islet cells, the results also point to the possibility that alkalinization may be a link in the stimulus-secretion coupling sequence in beta-cells.

Glucose reduces both Rb+ influx and efflux in pancreatic islet cells

Microdissected, beta-cell-rich pancreatic islets from ob/ob mice were used in studies of 86Rb+ transport. D-Glucose (20 mM) induced a biphasic reduction in 86Rb+ efflux. The reduction stabilized within 10 min at 34% of the efflux rate at zero glucose. The initial 86Rb+ uptake (5 min) was dose-dependently reduced by ouabain with maximum inhibition at 1 mM. D-Glucose (20 mM) did not affect the ouabain-sensitive 86Rb+ influx but markedly reduced (48%) the ouabain-resistant isotope influx. The results suggest that D-glucose does not affect the Na+/K+ pump in pancreatic beta-cells and that the glucose-sensitive K+-transporting modalities (K+ channels) in the beta-cells can mediate both inward and outward K+ flux.

Effects of glibenclamide and tetracaine on 86Rb+ fluxes in mouse pancreatic beta-cells

Potassium transport was measured in beta-cell-rich islets from ob/ob-mice using the K+-analogue 86Rb+. Both tetracaine (0.1 mM) and glibenclamide (0.1 microM) reduced the ouabain-resistant 86Rb+ influx but did not significantly affect the ouabain-sensitive portion (Na+/K+ pump). Tetracaine (0.5 - 1 mM) or glibenclamide (0.2 mM) decreased the 86Rb+ equilibrium content and glibenclamide (1 microM) transiently reduced the 86Rb+ efflux rate but 0.1 mM tetracaine had only a slight effect on this flux rate. The results suggest that a change in ouabain-resistant (passive) K+ fluxes, but not the Na+/K+ pump, is involved in stimulation of insulin secretion by glibenclamide and tetracaine. Both drugs may exert similar effects on the beta-cell plasma membrane.

Dopamine increases potassium efflux in the rat parotid gland by stimulating noradrenaline release from sympathetic nerve endings

By studying 86Rb+ efflux (tracer for potassium) and labelled NA ([3H]NA) efflux from preloaded parotid glands in vitro it is suggested that dopamine stimulates potassium efflux through an indirect sympathomimetic activity--i.e. releasing noradrenaline from sympathetic nerve endings.

Effect of tetracaine and glibenclamide on 45Ca2+ handling by isolated pancreatic islets

The 45Ca2+ uptake in beta-cell-rich ob/ob-islets was measured using the La3+ wash technique. Tetracaine (1 mM) markedly enhanced the 45Ca2+ net uptake (120 min) in the presence of 3 mM glucose, and at 7 and 20 mM glucose there were clear tendencies to dose-dependent increases with 0.1 to 1 mM tetracaine. Glibenclamide 1 microM to 0.2 mM, stimulated the 45Ca2+ net uptake in the presence of 3 mM glucose and 0.1 mM to 0.2 mM glibenclamide potentiated the uptake in the presence of 7 mM glucose. When the drugs were added for only a 10 min incubation period, glibenclamide, 1 microM to 0.2 mM, but not tetracaine (10 microM to 1 mM) increased the short-term uptake of 45Ca2+. After preincubation with either of the drugs, neither tetracaine (10 microM to 1 mM) nor glibenclamide (10 nM to 0.2 mM) had any effect on the short-term 45Ca2+ uptake. In islets incubated with 45Ca2+ and tetracaine and washed without La3+ the apparent net uptake of 45Ca2+ was reduced by 0.5 to 1 mM tetracaine both at 3 and 20 mM glucose. Tetracaine (0.5 mM) stimulated the 45Ca2+ efflux in the presence of 3 mM glucose. The results show that both drugs affected the Ca2+ handling. It is suggested that glibenclamide mainly increases Ca2+ influx by voltage-dependent pathways, whereas tetracaine, at certain concentrations, mobilizes Ca2+ from intracellular stores in the islet cells.

Effects of alpha-adrenoceptor agonists and antagonists on insulin secretion, calcium uptake, and rubidium efflux in mouse pancreatic islets

Epinephrine, norepinephrine or the more selective alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonist, clonidine, inhibited insulin release from isolated pancreatic islets of lean mice or obese mice homozygous for the gene ob. Clonidine was highly effective at 0.1 mumol/l. In contrast, the preferential alpha-1 adrenoceptor agonist, phenylephrine, had no or only a modest effect at 10 mumol/l. The effects of norepinephrine or clonidine were counteracted by yohimbine, a preferential blocker of alpha-2 receptors, but not by prazosine, an alpha-1 receptor blocker. The glucose-stimulated uptake of 45Ca2+ in the islets was only consistently inhibited by epinephrine. This effect was counteracted by yohimbine. Clonidine had no effect on the release of 86Rb+ from preloaded islets. It is concluded that insulin secretion is suppressed by alpha-2 receptor agonism in the pancreatic beta-cells and that this effect is mediated by mechanisms other than the transmembrane fluxes of calcium or potassium ions.

Opposite effects of 5-hydroxytryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptamine on the function of microdissected ob/ob-mouse pancreatic islets

The effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine and 5-hydroxytryptophan on insulin release and 45Ca2+ uptake in islets microdissected from ob/ob mice were studied. At a concentration of 4 mmol/l both compounds slightly stimulated insulin release at a low glucose concentration (3 mmol/l). Insulin release induced by 20 mmol/l D-glucose was inhibited by 4 mmol/l 5-hydroxytryptamine but potentiated by 4 mmol/l L-5-hydroxytryptophan. Mannoheptulose (20 mmol/l) blocked the combined effects of 20 mmol/l D-glucose and 4 mmol/l L-5-hydroxytryptophan on insulin release. 45Ca2+ uptake was inhibited by 4 mmol/l 5-hydroxytryptamine and stimulated by 4 mmol/l L-5-hydroxytryptophan. Mannoheptulose (20 mmol/l) did not affect the 45Ca2+ uptake induced by the latter. When 4 mmol/l L-5-hydroxytryptophan was present only during the 30-min preincubation period. 20 mmol/l-glucose-induced insulin release and 45Ca2+ uptake during a subsequent incubation period were inhibited. Externally added 5-hydroxytryptamine (4 mmol/l) did not change the effects of 4 mmol/l L-5-hydroxytryptophan on insulin release and 45Ca2+ uptake. It is concluded that, when added directly into the incubation medium, 5-hydroxytryptophan has effects on insulin release and 45Ca2+ uptake which are opposite to those observed when 5-hydroxytryptamine is added. These effects do not seem to be mediated by 5-hydroxytryptamine formed intracellularly from 5-hydroxytryptophan.