Stimulation of insulin secretion in vitro by essential aminoacids

Amino acid transporters in the regulation of insulin secretion and signalling

Amino acids are increasingly recognised as modulators of nutrient disposal, including their role in regulating blood glucose through interactions with insulin signalling. More recently, cellular membrane transporters of amino acids have been shown to form a pivotal part of this regulation as they are primarily responsible for controlling cellular and circulating amino acid concentrations. The availability of amino acids regulated by transporters can amplify insulin secretion and modulate insulin signalling in various tissues. In addition, insulin itself can regulate the expression of numerous amino acid transporters. This review focuses on amino acid transporters linked to the regulation of insulin secretion and signalling with a focus on those of the small intestine, pancreatic β-islet cells and insulin-responsive tissues, liver and skeletal muscle. We summarise the role of the amino acid transporter B⁰AT1 (SLC6A19) and peptide transporter PEPT1 (SLC15A1) in the modulation of global insulin signalling via the liver-secreted hormone fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21). The role of vesicular vGLUT (SLC17) and mitochondrial SLC25 transporters in providing glutamate for the potentiation of insulin secretion is covered. We also survey the roles SNAT (SLC38) family and LAT1 (SLC7A5) amino acid transporters play in the regulation of and by insulin in numerous affective tissues. We hypothesise the small intestine amino acid transporter B⁰AT1 represents a crucial nexus between insulin, FGF21 and incretin hormone signalling pathways. The aim is to give an integrated overview of the important role amino acid transporters have been found to play in insulin-regulated nutrient signalling.

The impact of IUGR on pancreatic islet development and β-cell function

Placental insufficiency is a primary cause of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). IUGR increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) throughout life, which indicates that insults from placental insufficiency impair β-cell development during the perinatal period because β-cells have a central role in the regulation of glucose tolerance. The severely IUGR fetal pancreas is characterized by smaller islets, less β-cells, and lower insulin secretion. Because of the important associations among impaired islet growth, β-cell dysfunction, impaired fetal growth, and the propensity for T2DM, significant progress has been made in understanding the pathophysiology of IUGR and programing events in the fetal endocrine pancreas. Animal models of IUGR replicate many of the observations in severe cases of human IUGR and allow us to refine our understanding of the pathophysiology of developmental and functional defects in islet from IUGR fetuses. Almost all models demonstrate a phenotype of progressive loss of β-cell mass and impaired β-cell function. This review will first provide evidence of impaired human islet development and β-cell function associated with IUGR and the impact on glucose homeostasis including the development of glucose intolerance and diabetes in adulthood. We then discuss evidence for the mechanisms regulating β-cell mass and insulin secretion in the IUGR fetus, including the role of hypoxia, catecholamines, nutrients, growth factors, and pancreatic vascularity. We focus on recent evidence from experimental interventions in established models of IUGR to understand better the pathophysiological mechanisms linking placental insufficiency with impaired islet development and β-cell function.

Association of protein intake with the change of lean mass among elderly women: The Osteoporosis Risk Factor and Prevention - Fracture Prevention Study (OSTPRE-FPS)

Low protein intake can lead to declined lean mass (LM) in elderly. We examined the associations of total protein (TP), animal protein (AP) and plant protein (PP) intakes with LM. The association of TP intake with LM change was further evaluated according to weight change status. This cross-sectional and prospective cohort study included 554 women aged 68 (sd 1·9) years from the Osteoporosis Risk Factor and Prevention – Fracture Prevention Study (OSTPRE-FPS). The intervention group (n 270) received daily cholecalciferol (800 IU; 20 μg) and Ca (1000 mg) for 3 years while the control group received neither supplementation nor placebo (n 282). Participants filled out a questionnaire on lifestyle factors and a 3-d food record in 2002 and underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for body composition measurements at baseline and 3 years. Multiple linear regressions evaluated the association between protein intake and LM, adjusting for relevant covariates. At the baseline TP and AP intakes were positively associated with LM and trunk LM, TP was associated also with appendicular LM (aLM). Follow-up results showed that in the total population and the intervention group, higher TP and AP were associated with increased LM and aLM (P ≤ 0·050). No such associations were observed in the control group. PP intake was also associated with aLM change in the total population. Overall, the associations were independent of fat mass. Further, among weight maintainers, TP intake was positively associated with LM, aLM and trunk LM changes (P ≤ 0·020). In conclusion, dietary TP, especially AP, intake may be a modifiable risk factor for sarcopenia by preserving LM in the elderly.

Acute glycemic and blood lipid response to the ingestion of a candy bar–like protein supplement compared with its candy bar counterpart

Candy bar–like protein supplements are sometimes consumed for their sugar alcohol content, which lowers the glycemic response. The purpose of this study was to determine the acute glycemic and blood lipid response to the ingestion of a candy bar–like protein supplement compared with its candy bar counterpart. In a crossover design, 5 males and 5 females (N = 10; age, 24 ± 5.5 years; height, 174 ± 8.3 cm; weight, 80 ± 21.9 kg) consumed a candy bar (CBR) or a similar protein bar (PBR) after a 10-h fast. Blood draws occurred at baseline and at 15, 30, 45, and 60 min after consumption and were analyzed for blood glucose, insulin, and lipid profiles. A 2×5 ANOVA was used, with Student's t tests for significant interactions. A significant (p < 0.05) blood glucose time effect occurred in both groups, with a more profound glucose response from the CBR at 15 min (CBR: 6.2 ± 0.8 mmol·L−1; PBR: 4.9 ± 0.5 mmol·L−1). Triglycerides increased significantly (p < 0.05), independent of group, peaking at 60 min (Δ CBR: 0.8 ± 0.3 mmol·L−1; Δ PBR: 1.3 ± 0.3 mmol·L−1). Insulin increased significantly (p < 0.05), independent of group, peaking at 15 min (Δ CBR: 42 ± 27 μIU·mL−1; Δ PBR: 25 ± 11 μIU·mL−1). No significant change (p > 0.05) was observed in total cholesterol. Blood glucose, triglycerides, and insulin all increased significantly in response to both CBR and PBR consumption. The CBR elicited a greater effect on blood glucose; however, the PBR had a strong impact on serum triglycerides and insulin.

A randomised study on the effects of fish protein supplement on glucose tolerance, lipids and body composition in overweight adults

The popularity of high-protein diets for weight reduction is immense. However, the potential benefits from altering the source of dietary protein rather than the amount is scarcely investigated. In the present study, we examined the effects of fish protein supplement on glucose and lipid metabolism in overweight adults. A total of thirty-four overweight adults were randomised to 8 weeks' supplementation with fish protein or placebo tablets (controls). The intake of fish protein supplement was 3 g/d for the first 4 weeks and 6 g/d for the last 4 weeks. In this study, 8 weeks of fish protein supplementation resulted in lower values of fasting glucose (P< 0·05), 2 h postprandial glucose (P< 0·05) and glucose-area under the curve (AUC) (five measurements over 2 h, P< 0·05) after fish protein supplementation compared to controls. Glucose-AUC was decreased after 8 weeks with fish protein supplement compared to baseline (P< 0·05), concomitant with increased 30 min and decreased 90 min and 2 h insulin C-peptide level (P< 0·05), and reduced LDL-cholesterol (P< 0·05). Body muscle % was increased (P< 0·05) and body fat % was reduced (P< 0·05) after 4 weeks' supplementation. Physical activity and energy and macronutrients intake did not change during the course of the study. In conclusion, short-term daily supplementation with a low dose of fish protein may have beneficial effects on blood levels of glucose and LDL-cholesterol as well as glucose tolerance and body composition in overweight adults. The long-term effects of fish protein supplementation is of interest in the context of using more fish as a protein source in the diet, and the effects of inclusion of fish in the diet of individuals with low glucose tolerance should be evaluated.

A high proportion of leucine is required for optimal stimulation of the rate of muscle protein synthesis by essential amino acids in the elderly

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of enriching an essential amino acid (EAA) mixture with leucine on muscle protein metabolism in elderly and young individuals. Four (2 elderly and 2 young) groups were studied before and after ingestion of 6.7 g of EAAs. EAAs were based on the composition of whey protein [26% leucine (26% Leu)] or were enriched in leucine [41% leucine (41% Leu)]. A primed, continuous infusion of L-[ring-2H5]phenylalanine was used together with vastus lateralis muscle biopsies and leg arteriovenous blood samples for the determinations of fractional synthetic rate (FSR) and balance of muscle protein. FSR increased following amino acid ingestion in both the 26% (basal: 0.048 +/- 0.005%/h; post-EAA: 0.063 +/- 0.007%/h) and the 41% (basal: 0.036 +/- 0.004%/h; post-EAA: 0.051 +/- 0.007%/h) Leu young groups (P < 0.05). In contrast, in the elderly, FSR did not increase following ingestion of 26% Leu EAA (basal: 0.044 +/- 0.003%/h; post-EAA: 0.049 +/- 0.006%/h; P > 0.05) but did increase following ingestion of 41% Leu EAA (basal: 0.038 +/- 0.007%/h; post-EAA: 0.056 +/- 0.008%/h; P < 0.05). Similar to the FSR responses, the mean response of muscle phenylalanine net balance, a reflection of muscle protein balance, was improved (P < 0.05) in all groups, with the exception of the 26% Leu elderly group. We conclude that increasing the proportion of leucine in a mixture of EAA can reverse an attenuated response of muscle protein synthesis in elderly but does not result in further stimulation of muscle protein synthesis in young subjects.

Insulin secretory characteristics of monkey pancreatic islets: a simple method of islet isolation and the effect of various density gradients on separation

We describe a simple stationary digestion method of islet isolation and separation by various density gradients from monkey pancreas (Macaca radiata radiata). Effective method, different types and concentrations of collagenase were standardized. Sigma type XI collagenase yielded >1000 islets/gram pancreas at the concentration of 4 mg/ml and 3 ml Hank's/gram pancreas. Slow digestion with less concentration of collagenase was suitable for monkey islet isolation. Discontinuous density gradients of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and dextran were compared with standard Ficoll for separation of islets. Islet yield (1038 +/- 81), insulin secretory response (stimulation index, S.I.11) and histological examination revealed dextran gradients were more appropriate for monkey islets when compared to BSA and Ficoll. Insulin secretory characteristics of monkey islets were studied by exposing them to low and high concentrations glucose (S.I.11.5), arginine (S.I.4.2), leucine (S.I.2.3) and tolbutamide (S.I.1.7). The results indicated that the magnitude of glucose induced insulin secretion of monkey islet is about half as that of rat and mouse islets. However, it is higher than that of porcine and bovine islets. In conclusion, the knowledge of insulin secretory ability of Indian bonnet monkey islets together with the techniques of isolation and separation are useful tool for diabetic research especially islet transplantation.

Plasma glucagon and insulin responses depend on the rate of appearance of amino acids after ingestion of different protein solutions in humans

To find out whether the hormonal response to feeding with protein solutions is influenced by the nature and degree of protein fractionation, we examined insulin and glucagon responses after intake of protein solutions containing the same amount of nitrogen (2.9 g each) in three men and three women. Four test meals (600 mL) [glucose (419 kJ/L), pea (PPH) and whey peptide hydrolysates (WPH) (921 and 963 kJ/L, respectively) and a cow's milk solution (MS) containing complete milk proteins (2763 kJ/L)] were tested. Peptide hydrolysates elicited a faster increase in venous plasma amino acids than did MS (P < 0.05). Despite the higher carbohydrate content of the MS, the peptide hydrolysates elicited a peak insulin response that was two and four times greater than that evoked by the MS and glucose solutions, respectively (P < 0.05). The insulin response was closely related to the increase in plasma amino acids, especially leucine, isoleucine, valine, phenylalanine and arginine, regardless of the rate of gastric emptying. The three protein solutions elicited similar increases of plasma glucagon; however, the response was fastest for both peptide hydrolysates (P < 0.05) and more prolonged for the MS (P < 0.05). The glucagon response was linearly related to the increase in plasma amino acids, regardless of the rate of gastric emptying or meal composition (r = 0.93, r = 0.96 and r = 0.78, all P < 0.05, for the PPH, WPH and MS). Among the plasma amino acids, tyrosine (r = 0.82-0.98, P < 0.05) and methionine (r = 0.98, P < 0.001) were most closely related to the plasma glucagon response. This study shows that the glucagon response to feeding with protein solutions depends on the increase in plasma amino acid concentrations. The combined administration of glucose and peptide hydrolysates stimulates a synergistic release of insulin, regardless of the protein source.

Branched-chain amino acids are essential in the regulation of PHAS-I and p70 S6 kinase by pancreatic beta-cells. A possible role in protein translation and mitogenic signaling

Amino acids have been identified as important signaling molecules involved in pancreatic beta-cell proliferation, although the cellular mechanism responsible for this effect is not well defined. We previously reported that amino acids are required for glucose or exogenous insulin to stimulate phosphorylation of PHAS-I (phosphorylated heat- and acid-stable protein regulated by insulin), a recently discovered regulator of translation initiation during cell mitogenesis. Here we demonstrate that essential amino acids, in particular branched-chain amino acids (leucine, valine, and isoleucine), are largely responsible for mediating this effect. The transamination product of leucine, alpha-ketoisocaproic acid, also stimulates PHAS-I phosphorylation although the transamination products of isoleucine and valine are ineffective. Since amino acids are secretagogues for insulin secretion by beta-cells, we investigated whether endogenous insulin secreted by beta-cells is involved. Interestingly, branched-chain amino acids stimulate phosphorylation of PHAS-I independent of endogenous insulin secretion since genistein (10 microM) and herbimycin A (1 microM), two tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the insulin signaling pathway, exert no effect on amino acid-induced phosphorylation of PHAS-I. Furthermore, branched-chain amino acids retain their ability to induce phosphorylation of PHAS-I under conditions that block insulin secretion from beta-cells. In exploring the signaling pathway responsible for these effects, we find that rapamycin (25 nM) inhibits the ability of branched-chain amino acids to stimulate the phosphorylation of PHAS-I and p70(s6) kinase, suggesting that the mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway is involved. The branched-chain amino acid, leucine, also exerts similar effects on PHAS-I phosphorylation in isolated pancreatic islets. In addition, we find that amino acids are necessary for insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) to stimulate the phosphorylation of PHAS-I indicating that a requirement for amino acids may be essential for other beta-cell growth factors in addition to insulin and IGF-I to activate this signaling pathway. We propose that amino acids, in particular branched-chain amino acids, may promote beta-cell proliferation either by stimulating phosphorylation of PHAS-I and p70(s6k) via the mammalian target of rapamycin pathway and/or by facilitating the proliferative effect mediated by growth factors such as insulin and IGF-I.

Dissociated secretion of islet amyloid polypeptide and insulin in serum-free culture media conditioned by human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines

CONCLUSION

The cosecretion of insulin and islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) is altered when isolated rat pancreatic islets are incubated in culture media conditioned by human pancreatic cancer cells.

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic cancer is usually associated with impaired glucose tolerance. This study investigates the tumor-derived influence on beta-cell secretion of pancreatic islets.

METHODS

Four conditioned media were prepared from two human pancreatic cancer cell lines (Panc-1 and HPAF), a hamster pancreatic cancer cell line (PC-1), and a fibroblast cell line (Ag1523). Isolated rat pancreatic islets were incubated first in the conditioned media or nonconditioned control medium for 24 h, then in the same kind of media containing 100 microM carbamylcholine for 90 min. Insulin and IAPP secretion were measured by radioimmunoassay.

RESULTS

Islets in media conditioned by Panc-1 and HPAF cells demonstrated dissociation of insulin and IAPP secretion. During 24-h incubation, the dissociation was expressed as selectively decreased insulin secretion. With addition of 100 microM carbamylcholine, the dissociation was expressed as normal secretion of insulin and hypersecretion of IAPP. As a result, the IAPP/insulin molar ratios were increased in both groups during both time periods. The islets in PC-1 and Ag1523 media did not show any significant changes in insulin and IAPP secretion.

Glutamate production in islets of Langerhans: properties of phosphate-activated glutaminase

Homogenates of rat pancreas, pancreatic islets, and HIT-T15 cells (a clonal line derived from B cells) catalyzed the breakdown of glutamine to glutamate. This activity was markedly stimulated by the addition of orthophosphate and was much greater in homogenates from islets and the B-cell-derived clonal cell line than in those from whole pancreas. Islet glutaminase was half-maximally stimulated with 40 mmol/L phosphate. Kinetic analyses of the rates of glutamine hydrolysis showed that the Vmax for the reaction increased with the increase in phosphate concentration, whereas the Km for glutamine (2.6 +/- 0.2 mmol/L) was unaltered. The pH optimum for enzyme activity was 8.0 to 8.5 at all phosphate concentrations studied. Glutamine breakdown was enhanced by adenosine triphosphate ([ATP] approximately 100% at 10 mmol/L) and citrate (approximately 30% at 10 mmol/L), but it was unaffected by malate, 2-oxoglutarate, lactate, and ammonia. Glutamate significantly inhibited glutamine hydrolysis. Freshly isolated islets had a low content of both glutamate and glutamine. After culturing for 1 hour in an amino acid-containing medium, the concentrations of glutamine and glutamate increased. Subsequent perifusion without amino acids caused a loss of glutamine and a concomitant increase in glutamate level. Perifusion with 1 mmol/L glutamine led to an increase in both internal glutamine and glutamate. The addition to the perifusion medium of either 10 mmol/L glutamine, 10 mmol/L orthophosphate, or both substantially enhanced insulin release evoked by 10 mmol/L leucine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Stimulation of insulin release and suppression of feeding by hepatic portal glucagon infusion in rats

Plasma insulin and glucose concentrations were measured in rats by remote blood sampling techniques 5 and 25 min after the start of a continuous intraportal glucagon infusion (0.33, 1.0, 3.3, 10 and 33 micrograms/kg/min). Plasma insulin levels were elevated in a dose-related fashion by glucagon, with the highest dose producing a 23-fold increase above control levels. In contrast, the glycemic effect of glucagon was not dose-related. Glucagon-induced hyperglycemia was similar for all glucagon doses, despite the fact that a glucagon dose range spanning two orders of magnitude was used. In a second experiment, plasma glucose and insulin were measured as described above at two glucagon infusion rates (1 and 10 micrograms/kg/min), but the animals were allowed to eat during the infusion. Results showed that the effects of glucagon infusions on plasma insulin and glucose were additive with the normal prandial changes in these substances. Finally, food intake was inversely related to insulin level and dissociated from the hyperglycemia during glucagon infusion. These results show that exogenous glucagon provides a potent stimulus for insulin release in the rat both in the presence and in the absence of food. Furthermore, these results in combination with other data suggest that glucagon-induced hyperinsulinemia merits further investigation as one possible determinant of glucagon satiety in the rat.

Effect of amino-acids on secretion of insulin by isolated islets of the monkey

Insulin secretion was monitored in monkey islets isolated by collagenase digestion and exposed to leucine and arginine with and without glucose. Leucine by itself (10 to 40 mmol/l) elicited concentration-dependent insulin secretion. At 40 mmol/l, leucine was approximately 60% as effective as glucose (16.7 mmol/l). The response to leucine was increased at low glucose concentrations. In high concentrations (20 and 40 mmol/l), arginine by itself was a poor stimulant. The effect of arginine was enhanced at low glucose concentrations (2.8 to 5.6 mmol/l). At high glucose concentrations neither amino-acid produced any significant further increase in insulin release.

Depression of leucine and isoproterenol induced insulin secretions in the spontaneously diabetic New Zealand white rabbit

Rabbits were studied from a closed colony of NZW rabbits which exhibits a 19% occurrance of spontaneous diabetes mellitus. Six overtly diabetic rabbits and eight rabbits with normal glucose disposal were tested with intravenous glucose challenge (500 mg/kg), L-leucine administration (125 mg/kg), and 30 minute infusions with isoproterenol (10 microgram/kg/min.). These agents were shown to be ineffective insulin secretogogues in the overtly diabetic group when compared to the highly significant IRI response observed in colony rabbits with normal glucose disposal. The data indicate that the defect in IRI secretion observed in the spontaneously diabetic NZW rabbits is not confined to stimulation by glucose, but represents an abnormal IRI release mechanism which appears to lack secretogogue specificity.

The different effects on the serum lipids and fecal steroids of high carbohydrate diets given orally or intravenously

The hypothesis that diets high in carbohydrate produce hyperlipidemia in man was tested in new experiments which provided all calories either by the intravenous route or orally. After a base-line general diet, eight healthy men were fed fat-free diets consisting of 80% of the calories from glucose and 20% from an amino acid hydrolysate. The calories were adequate to maintain body weight. The solutions (1 cal/ml) were infused by constant drip over a 24 h period through either a superior vena cava catheter or a nasogastric tube. Each feeding was for 12 days in sequence but assigned in random order. The high CHO diet given orally, as expected, increased the mean base-line serum triglyceride level from 176+/-29 (SE) to 274+/-47. The identical diet given intravenously (i.v.) failed to produce hypertriglyceridemia; triglyceride levels were not significantly changed, 154+/-37, nor were blood glucose levels. Serum insulin levels were higher during the intravenous feeding. In contrast, both i.v. and oral feedings greatly lowered mean serum cholesterol concentration from the base-line value of 220+/-13 mg/100 ml to 135+/-11 and 151+/-13, respectively. However, the serum cholesterol level was significantly lower (P < 0.01) with the intravenous feeding than with the oral feeding. In addition, the fecal excretion of both neutral sterols and bile acids diminished greatly during the period of intravenous feeding. The fecal mass was likewise decreased. The bacterial conversion of cholesterol to conprostanol did not occur with either intravenous or oral feeding, but with both regimens secondary bile acids predominated, as usual, in the bile acid fraction of the stool. These results emphasize the key role of the intestinal mucosa in the etiology of carbohydrate-induced hypertriglyceridemia and as a direct or indirect contributor to plasma triglyceride and cholesterol levels in the absence of dietary lipids. When the gut mucosa was bypassed, carbohydrate-induced hypertriglyceridemia did not occur and both serum triglyceride and serum cholesterol levels decreased greatly at a time when the excretion of steroids in the stool was also reduced.

Effects of glucose and other modifiers of insulin release on the oxidative metabolism of amino acids in micro-dissected pancreatic islets

The oxidation of alanine, arginine, leucine, glucose, and pyruvate was studied in microdissected pancreatic islets of obese-hyperglycaemic mice. The following main observations were made. The oxidation of glucose was enhanced severalfold when its concentration was raised from 3 to 20mm. At the latter concentration the rate was about 65mmol/h per kg dry wt. The oxidation of 17mm-pyruvate amounted to 20mmol/h per kg dry wt. indicating a significant entry of this compound into the beta-cells. Leucine oxidation was little affected by concentration changes above 5mm, the rate at 20mm corresponding to about 25% of that obtained with 20mm-glucose. In the absence of glucose, the oxidation of alanine or arginine was barely significant. Glucose stimulated the oxidation of alanine but depressed that of leucine. These effects of glucose were blocked by mannoheptulose or iodoacetamide but were not influenced by adrenaline, diazoxide, dibutyryl 3':5'-cyclic AMP, or glibenclamide. The rate of alanine oxidation was doubled in the presence of 17mm-pyruvate but was unaffected by citrate or succinate. Succinate depressed the oxidation of leucine. Neither alanine nor leucine significantly affected the oxidation of glucose. It is suggested that the effects of glucose on the oxidation of alanine and leucine were mediated by metabolism of the sugar, and that amino acids do not act as insulin secretagogues by serving as fuels for the beta-cells. The results are consistent with the existence of mechanisms auxiliary to glucose metabolism for control of insulin release.

Pancreozymin bioassay in man based on pancreatic enzyme secretion: potency of specific amino acids and other digestive products

The ability of products of digestion to stimulate pancreozymin secretion in man was investigated using a bioassay procedure, based on duodenal perfusion, which quantified the total outputs of pancreatic enzymes evoked by intraduodenal stimuli under steady-state conditions. Patterns of response resulting from physiologic intraduodenal concentrations of test material were basal output (with isotonic saline), washout of enzymes (with dextrose, micellar fatty acid, and amino acids), and sustained output of enzymes (with amino acids and micellar fatty acid). The sustained secretion of pancreatic enzymes found during the 2nd hr of perfusion and subsequently was characteristic of pancreozymin-induced secretion. The enzyme output in response to a mixture of essential and nonessential amino acids was significantly higher than that evoked by micellar fatty acid and was comparable with that resulting from the maximally tolerated dose of pancreozymin given by vein. Perfusion with essential amino acids caused enzyme outputs comparable to those induced by perfusion with the original amino acid mixture, whereas perfusion with nonessential amino acids had no effect. When the essential amino acids were tested individually, only phenylalanine, methionine, and valine caused significant increases in pancreatic enzyme output; the effect of tryptophan was indeterminate. However, the pancreatic enzyme output was less in response to these three essential amino acids than to mixtures containing all of them.