ABSTRACT
AIM: To investigate the effect of (Ganoderma lucidum ) polysaccharides (Gl-PS) on the insulin-releasing function of pancreati c islets. METHODS: Pancreatic islets were isolated and incubated with 5.6 or 16.7 mmol?L -1 glucose and different concentratio ns of Gl-PS for 1 h. Then the insulin was examined. Verapamil, and verapamil co mbined EGTA were used to testify whether the insulin-releasing effect of Gl-PS was inhibited by these inhibitors. The effects of Gl-PS on protein expression of the glucose transporter 2(GLUT2) under 5.6 and 16.7 mmol?L -1 glucose were also investigated. RESULTS: Gl-PS stimulated th e insulin release when incubated with the glucose of 5.6 or 16.7 mmol ?L -1 . The insulin releasing effect of Gl-PS was partly inhibited by ve rapamil and completely inhibited by verapamil+EGTA. Gl-PS could promote the GLU T2 protein expression of pancreatic islets under glucose of 5.6 and 16.7 mmol?L -1 . CONCLUSION: Gl-PS possesses insulin-rele asing effect under the glucose of 5.6 and 16.7 mmol?L -1 due t o the promotion of the GLUT2 protein expression and the subsequent facilitation of Ca 2+ inflow into the pancreatic B cells.