Differential mechanisms of glucose and palmitate in augmentation of insulin secretion in mouse pancreatic islets.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: To assess the possible importance of saturated fatty acids in glucose amplification of K+ATP channel-independent insulin secretion. METHODS: Insulin release from perifused pancreatic islets of NMRI mice was determined by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: In the presence of K+ (20 mmol/l) and diazoxide (250 micromol/l), which stimulates Ca2+ influx and opens K+ATP channels, palmitate (165 micromol/l total; 1.2 micromol/l free) increased insulin secretion at 3.3, 10 and 16.7 mmol/l glucose while glucose (10; 16.7 mmol/l) did not increase insulin secretion. In the presence of K+ (60 mmol/l) and diazoxide (250 micromol/l), glucose (10; 16.7 mmol/l) stimulation of K+ATP channel-independent insulin secretion increased, whereas the effectiveness of palmitate (165 micromol/l total; 1.2 micromol/l free) on insulin secretion at both 3.3, 10 or 16.7 mmol/l glucose was reduced. Palmitate thereby mimicked the stimulatory pattern of the protein kinase C activator, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (0.16 micromol/l), which also failed to increase insulin secretion at maximum depolarising concentrations of K+ (60 mmol/l). Furthermore, the protein kinase C inhibitor calphostin C (1 micromol/1), led to a complete suppression of the effects of both palmitate (165 micromol/l total; 1.2 micromol/l free) and myristate (165 micromol/l total; 2.4 micromol/l free) stimulation of glucose (16.7 mmol/l)-induced insulin secretion. Calphostin C (1 micromol/l), however, failed to affect insulin secretion induced by glucose (16.7 mmol/l). CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION: These data suggest that glucose could increase insulin secretion independently of saturated fatty acids like palmitate and myristate, which amplify glucose-induced insulin secretion by activation of protein kinase C.

L-arginine stimulation of glucose-induced insulin secretion through membrane depolarization and independent of nitric oxide.

The mechanism of L-arginine stimulation of glucose-induced insulin secretion from mouse pancreatic islets was studied. At 16.7 mmol/l glucose, L-arginine (10 mmol/l) potentiated both phases 1 and 2 of glucose-induced insulin secretion. This potentiation of glucose-induced insulin secretion was mimicked by the membrane depolarizing agents tetraethylammonium (TEA, 20 mmol/l) and K+ (60 mmol/l), which at 16.7 mmol/l glucose obliterated L-arginine (10 mmol/l) modulation of insulin secretion. Thus L-arginine may potentiate glucose-induced insulin secretion by stimulation of membrane depolarization. At 3.3 mmol/l glucose, L-arginine (10 mmol/l) failed to stimulate insulin secretion. In accordance with membrane depolarization by the electrogenic transport of L-arginine, however, L-arginine (10 mmol/l) stimulation of insulin secretion was enabled by the K+ channel inhibitor TEA (20 mmol/l), which potentiates membrane depolarization by L-arginine. Furthermore, L-arginine (10 mmol/l) stimulation of insulin secretion was permitted by forskolin (10 micromol/l) or tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (0.16 micromol/l), which, by activation of protein kinases A and C respectively sensitize the exocytotic machinery to L-arginine-induced Ca2+ influx. Thus glucose may sensitize L-arginine stimulation of insulin secretion by potentiation of membrane depolarization and by activation of protein kinase A or protein kinase C. Finally, L-arginine stimulation of glucose-induced insulin secretion was mimicked by NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (10 mmol/l), which stimulates membrane depolarization but inhibits nitric oxide synthase, suggesting that L-arginine-derived nitric oxide neither inhibits nor stimulates insulin secretion. In conclusion, it is suggested that L-arginine potentiation of glucose-induced insulin secretion occurs independently of nitric oxide, but is mediated by membrane depolarization, which stimulates insulin secretion through protein kinase A- and C-sensitive mechanisms.

Mechanism of fat-induced attenuation of glucose-induced insulin secretion from mouse pancreatic islets.

In order to investigate the mechanism behind fat-induced inhibition of glucose-induced insulin secretion a selection of enzymes that may participate in regulation of pancreatic islet glucose oxidation was studied in islets isolated from mice that had been fed on a laboratory chow diet or on a high-fat diet for 10-12 weeks. At 20 mmol/L glucose production of (14)CO(2) from [U-(14)C]-glucose was decreased 50% in islets from fat-fed mice. At 3.3 mmol/L glucose the glucose oxidation rate was similar in the two groups. The fatinduced decrease in glucose oxidation rate was correlated with a 35% decrease in the maximal glucokinase activity. The K(m) for glucose was unchanged. No differences between the diet groups were found in the activities of hexokinase, phosphofructo-1-kinase, glucose 6-phosphatase or mitochondrial glycerophosphate dehydrogenase. After preincubation with 20 mmol/L glucose the activity of cytosolic Ca(2+)-independent as well as Ca(2+)-dependent phospholipase A(2) was unchanged by fat-feeding. However, the activity of lysophospholipase was significantly increased by fat feeding, which may result in lowered concentrations of islet lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPC). It is concluded that in fat-induced diabetic animals a decrease in islet glucokinase may contribute considerably to the decrease in islet glucose oxidation rate. Furthermore, the study raises the possibility that changes in islet lysoPC may contribute to the fat-induced attenuation of glucose-induced insulin secretion.

Carbamoylcholine regulation of polyphosphoinositide synthesis and hydrolysis in cultured, dispersed, digitonin-permeabilized mouse pancreatic islet cells.

Continuing formation of inositol phosphates during stimulation of pancreatic beta-cells by hormones and neurotransmitters requires the continued synthesis of the polyphosphoinositides phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PIP) and phosphatidylinositol 4,5 bisphosphate (PIP2) from phosphatidylinositol (PI). In the present study we have investigated how this pathway and the activity of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) are regulated by carbamoylcholine (CCh), Ca2+, the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA), GTP gamma S and NaF in 44-h [3H]inositol-labelled, dispersed and digitonin-permeabilized mouse pancreatic islet cells. CCh stimulated not only PI-PLC (G-protein-mediated) but also, by an as yet unknown mechanism, significantly enhanced PI 4-kinase activity, estimated as the PIP:PI ratio, by 100%, and further increased the flux from PI to PIP and PIP2, GTP gamma S and NaF mimicked the effects of CCh on PI-PLC but had no effect on the levels of PIP and PIP2, TPA raised the PIP:PI ratio by 75%. In addition TPA counteracted the CCh stimulation of PI-PLC. There was no effect of 10(-6) mol/l Ca2+ on the levels of PIP and PIP2. Experiments with quinacrine and adenosine confirmed that PI-PLC and PI 4-kinase could be regulated independently of each other. In conclusion, these data point to differential regulation of polyphosphoinositide synthesis and breakdown.

Inhibition of glucose-induced insulin secretion by the diacylglycerol lipase inhibitor RHC 80267 and the phospholipase A2 inhibitor ACA through stimulation of K+ permeability without diminution by exogenous arachidonic acid.

The effects of the diacylglycerol lipase inhibitor 1,6-bis-(cyclohexyloximinocarbonyl-amino)-hexane (RHC 80267) and the phospholipase A2 inhibitor N-(p-amylcinnamoyl)anthranilic acid (ACA) on insulin secretion and 86Rb+ efflux in mouse pancreatic islets were studied. RHC 80267 (35 microM) and ACA (100 microM) inhibited glucose (16.7 mM)-induced insulin secretion, but did not inhibit insulin secretion induced by K+ (40 mM) or the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA; 0.16 microM). K+ (40 mM) or TPA (0.16 microM) potentiated glucose (16.7 mM)-induced insulin secretion, and prevented inhibition of glucose (16.7 mM)-induced insulin secretion by RHC 80267 and ACA. In comparison, potentiation of glucose-induced insulin secretion by albumin-bound arachidonic acid (AA; 200 microM total; 10 microM free unbound) failed to counteract inhibition of glucose-induced insulin secretion by RHC 80267 or ACA, suggesting that inhibition of insulin secretion by these agents was not mediated by a decrease in AA accumulation in islets. Determination of 86Rb+ efflux, a marker of K+ channel activity, revealed that both RHC 80267 and ACA stimulated K+ efflux from islets. These effects of RHC 80267 and ACA were observed at both 3.3 and 16.7 mM glucose and persisted in Ca2+-free medium, suggesting that they may represent an opening of ATP-sensitive K+ channels. RHC 80267-mediated stimulation of 86Rb+ efflux was not mimicked by the diacylglycerol analog TPA (0.16 microM) and was not prevented by the diacylglycerol kinase inhibitor R 59022 (50 microM), suggesting that stimulation of 86Rb+ efflux did not reflect a conditional increase in diacylglycerol or in phosphatidic acid upon inhibition of diacylglycerol lipase. In contrast, TPA (0.16 microM) attenuated RHC 80267 and ACA stimulation of 86Rb+ efflux. Addition of AA (200 microM total; 10 microM free unbound) stimulated 86Rb+ efflux, suggesting that stimulation of 86Rb+ efflux by RHC 80267 and ACA was not due to a decrease in AA accumulation. This stimulation by AA was not dependent on AA metabolism because it persisted in the presence of the lipoxygenase inhibitor nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA; 50 microM) or the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin (50 microM). In contrast to RHC 80267 and ACA, AA stimulation of 86Rb+ efflux was attenuated in Ca2+-free medium, probably implicating Ca2+-sensitive K+ channels in AA regulation of 86Rb+ efflux. Parallel experiments with diazoxide (100 microM) revealed that RHC 80267 and ACA mimicked the effects of diazoxide, a specific activator of ATP-sensitive K+ channels in islets, on both insulin secretion and 86Rb+ efflux. In conclusion, it is suggested that RHC 80267 and ACA, independently of their action on AA release, may inhibit glucose-induced insulin secretion by the opening of ATP-sensitive K+ channels in islets.

Production of [3H]choline-labelled metabolites from endogenously 3H-labelled phosphatidylcholine in mouse pancreatic islets.

The involvement of phosphatidylcholine (PC) hydrolysis in the regulation of insulin secretion was studied in mouse pancreatic islets prelabelled with [3H]choline. Phospholipase C (PLC) and phospholipase D (PLD) activities were demonstrated and also that of an enzyme that removes both fatty acids from PC and thus catalyses the production of [3H]glycerophosphorylcholine (GroPCho). After 2 min of incubation with 20 mM glucose a 35% increase in the content of [3H]GroPCho was observed in prelabelled islets, whereas the amount of [3H]lysoPC, [3H]phosphorylcholine (PCho) and [3H]choline was unaffected. After 30 min of incubation with 20 mM glucose, 0.2 mM tolbutamide, 40 mM KC1, 10 mM succinic acid monomethyl ester (SME) or 10 mM NaF, a 25-50% increase in [3H]GroPCho was observed. In the presence of 100 microM diazoxide or 35 microM RHC 80267 the glucose activation was attenuated. PLC was stimulated slightly by tolbutamide and 100 microM isoprenaline (isoproterenol), whereas SME decreased the amount of [3H]PCho by 10%. [3H]Choline content was increased by 25-40% in the presence of 0.16 microM 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA), 10 mM NaF or 100 microM carbachol. This effect of fluoride was potentiated in the presence of 20 mM glucose. It is concluded that metabolism of PC to GroPCho may be involved in the regulation of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, and that PLD may participate in insulin secretion evoked by TPA, carbachol and fluoride.

Role of glucose metabolism and phosphoinositide hydrolysis in glucose-induced sensitization/desensitization of insulin secretion from mouse pancreatic islets.

The role of glucose metabolism and phosphoinositide hydrolysis in glucose-induced sensitization/desensitization of insulin secretion was studied. A change in glucose concentration from 5.5 to 16.7 mM during 22-24 h of pre-exposure of mouse islets in TCM 199 culture medium (0.26 mM Ca2+) led to sensitization of glucose-induced insulin secretion. This change in islet responsiveness to glucose was not mediated by increases in glucose utilization ([5-3H]glucose conversion to 3H2O) and glucose oxidation ([U-14C]glucose oxidation to 14CO2). Glucose-induced sensitization of insulin secretion was associated with an increase in glucose-induced phosphoinositide hydrolysis, leading to a significant increase in inositol 1-monophosphate formation, but not in inositol 1,4-bisphosphate or in inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate plus inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate formation. Diacylglycerol, which may arise from both phosphoinositide hydrolysis and de novo from glucose metabolism, was, on the other hand, not increased during acute exposure to glucose and not changed after pre-exposure to glucose. At 16.7 mM glucose in TCM 199 medium, a change in Ca2+ concentration from 0.26 to 1.26 mM led to a reduction in glucose-induced insulin secretion. This Ca(2+)-dependent desensitization of insulin secretion in the presence of glucose was associated with a decrease in glucose-induced phosphoinositide hydrolysis, but not with a change in glucose metabolism or diacylglycerol accumulation. In conclusion, it is suggested that glucose-induced sensitization/desensitization of insulin secretion may involve changes in phosphoinositide hydrolysis, but may occur independently of concomitant changes in glucose metabolism or diacylglycerol accumulation.

Exogenous arachidonic acid inactivates protein kinase C in mouse pancreatic islets.

The effect of arachidonic acid on protein kinase C activity and insulin secretion in mouse islets was investigated. Arachidonic acid stimulated protein kinase C activity in islet cytosol and membrane fractions by substituting for phosphatidylserine. Stimulation by arachidonic acid was dependent on either Ca2+ or the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate, was potentiated by the combined addition of Ca(2+) + 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate, and did not further increase protein kinase C activity in the presence of saturating concentrations of phosphatidylserine. Arachidonic acid stimulation of protein kinase C was prevented by binding of arachidonic acid to albumin. In the absence of extracellular Ca2+, exogenous arachidonic acid stimulated insulin secretion. Arachidonic acid-induced insulin secretion was not potentiated by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate and was not prevented by the protein kinase C inhibitor staurosporine, suggesting that arachidonic acid-induced insulin secretion may occur independently of protein kinase C activation. Arachidonic acid-induced insulin secretion in Ca(2+)-free medium was on the other hand potentiated by addition of extracellular Ca2+. Stimulation of insulin secretion by exogenous arachidonic acid was associated with inactivation of protein kinase C. Inactivation of protein kinase C was also observed in islet homogenate after pre-incubation with arachidonic acid. Arachidonic acid-induced protein kinase C inactivation in islet homogenate was prevented by albumin or MgATP. Inactivation by arachidonic acid in intact islets was, however, not produced during enzyme isolation and was not prevented by inclusion of albumin or MgATP during preparation of protein kinase C extracts.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Polyamines in nerve terminals and secretory granules isolated from neurohypophyses.

In isolated nerve terminals from ox neurohypophyses the following concentrations of polyamines [pmol (microgram protein)-1 (mean +/- SEM)] were found: spermine: 2.07 +/- 0.14 (n = 3), spermidine: 0.22 +/- 0.01 (n = 4), putrescine: 0.20 +/- 0.01 (n = 4). In secretory granules isolated from the same tissue, the concentrations were: spermine: 0.57 +/- 0.02 (n = 3), spermidine: 0.07 +/- 0.04 (n = 3), putrescine: 0.13 +/- 0.04 (n = 3). After incubation of isolated nerve terminals with the polyamines, they were taken up as a function of time and concentration, approaching saturation at high concentrations. The kinetic parameters of their synthesizing enzyme, ornithine decarboxylase, in ox neurohypophyseal nerve terminals (apparent Km 0.75 mM and Vmax 22.5 pmol mg protein-1 h-1) were comparable to those previously found in cerebral cortex of rats. When isolated, hemilobes from rat neurohypophyses were incubated in a medium which contained spermidine (5 mM), and were stimulated by 56 mM K+, release of vasopressin was smaller than in control experiments. However, after removal of spermidine and after restimulation, 50 min after initial stimulation, the release was significantly elevated. It is suggested that polyamines may take part in modulation of vasopressin release.

Long-term fat-feeding-induced insulin resistance in normal NMRI mice: postreceptor changes of liver, muscle and adipose tissue metabolism resembling those of type 2 diabetes.

Postreceptor insulin resistance was studied in liver, muscle and adipose tissue from NMRI mice of both sexes made diabetic by long-term fat-feeding. Intravenous glucose tolerance tests showed a combination of impaired glucose tolerance and increased plasma insulin concentrations consistent with insulin resistance and reduced peripheral and hepatic uptake of glucose. In the morning, the fat-fed mice were normoinsulinaemic and hyperglycaemic. Liver glucokinase activity and glycogen content were reduced whereas lactate dehydrogenase activity was enhanced. Fatty acid synthase activity was decreased but glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase and the rate limiting enzyme in fatty acid synthesis, acetyl CoA carboxylase, were both unaffected. In muscle, the proportion of glycogen synthase in the active I-form was decreased. Total glycogen synthase activity was not affected. In isolated adipocytes, basal and insulin-stimulated glucose oxidation, as well as basal and insulin-stimulated lipogenesis from glucose were all severely inhibited, oxidation more so than lipogenesis. It is concluded that insulin resistance and postreceptor metabolic disorders in liver, muscle and adipose tissue from mice made diabetic by long-term fat-feeding are very similar to those demonstrated in human type 2 diabetics and may be studied in more detail and with more ease in this particular animal model.

Fat-induced changes in mouse pancreatic islet insulin secretion, insulin biosynthesis and glucose metabolism.

Insulin secretion, insulin biosynthesis and islet glucose oxidation were studied in pancreatic islets isolated from fat-fed diabetic mice of both sexes. Insulin secretion from isolated islets was studied after consecutive stimulation with alpha-ketoisocaproic acid + glutamine, glucose, forskolin, and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate. Glucose-induced insulin secretion was impaired in islets from fat-fed mice. This was associated with a reduction of approximately 50% in islet glucose oxidation. Islet insulin secretion stimulated by the non-carbohydrate secretagogues tended to be higher in the fat-fed mice, but a statistically significant effect was not observed. Pancreatic insulin content was reduced by 50%, whereas the islet insulin and DNA content was unchanged after fat feeding. Proinsulin mRNA was reduced by 35% in islets from fat-fed mice, and was associated with a reduction of approximately 50% in glucose-stimulated (pro)insulin biosynthesis. It is concluded that the insulin secretory response of islets isolated from fat-fed mice is similar to the secretory pattern known from human type 2, non-insulin-dependent diabetics, and that a defect in islet glucose recognition, resulting in decreased glucose oxidation, may be responsible for the observed insulin secretory and biosynthetic defects seen after glucose stimulation.

Role of protein kinase C and Ca2+ in glucose-induced sensitization/desensitization of insulin secretion.

The role of protein kinase C and Ca2+ in glucose-induced sensitization/desensitization of insulin secretion was studied. A 22-24 h exposure of mouse pancreatic islets to glucose (16.7 mmol/l) in TCM 199 culture medium, with 0.26 mmol/l or 1.26 mmol/l Ca2+, reduced total islet protein kinase C activity to approx. 85% and 60% of control values, respectively. At 0.26 mmol/l Ca2+ in TCM 199 medium, exposure to glucose (16.7 mmol/l) led to a potentiation of both phase 1 and phase 2 of glucose-induced insulin secretion, and caused a shift in the dose-response curve with 10 mmol/l and 16.7 mmol/l glucose exhibiting equipotent effects in stimulation of insulin secretion. In glucose-sensitized islets, the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (0.16 mumol/l) did not further potentiate induction of secretion by 10 mmol/l or 16.7 mmol/l glucose. At 3.3 mmol/l glucose, however, phorbol ester-induced secretion was augmented, and was characterized by a faster onset of secretion in glucose-sensitized islets relative to control islets. In contrast, a partial reduction in arachidonic acid (100 mumol/l)-induced insulin release was observed in glucose-sensitized islets in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. Increasing the Ca2+ concentration to 1.26 mmol/l in TCM 199 during the 22-24 h exposure to glucose (16.7 mmol/l) led to inhibition of phase 1 and abolition of phase 2 of glucose (10 mmol/l, 16.7 mmol/l)-induced insulin secretion. In addition, this treatment abolished phorbol ester-induced and arachidonic acid-induced insulin secretion at 3.3 mmol/l glucose. Altogether, these data suggest that sensitization of insulin secretion is caused by a preferential down-regulation of the inhibitory effects of protein kinase C, leading to an increased first phase, and an increased coupling of glucose to the stimulatory effects of protein kinase C during the second phase of glucose-induced insulin secretion. Desensitization of insulin secretion appears to be a consequence of sustained Ca2+ influx, inducing extensive down-regulation of protein kinase C and also causing deleterious effects on islet cell function in protein kinase C-deprived islets.

Ca(2+)- and ATP-dependent reversible inactivation of pancreatic islet phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C activity.

Phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) activity in whole homogenates of mouse pancreatic islets decreased 60-85% when the homogenates were incubated at 37 degrees C for 1 h in the presence of down to micromolar concentrations of Ca2+. Ca(2+)-induced inactivation was augmented by calmodulin, the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate in the presence of ATP-Mg, and by Mg2+. Inactivation was inhibited when ATP was removed and completely abolished by trifluoperazine and EGTA. Inactivation was not affected by the non-phosphorylating ATP analogue, AMP-PCP, GMP-PNP, glucose, Zn2+ or a series of protease inhibitors. These observations suggest that PI-PLC in broken cell preparations of pancreatic islets may be inactivated via phosphorylation by Ca(2+)-calmodulin-stimulated protein kinase and/or protein kinase C. Inactivation of PI-PLC was reversible. Reactivation started after approx. 2 h incubation, when the concentration of ATP in the homogenate was below 0.15 x 10(-6) M. PI-PLC activity returned to values approx. 25% higher than the initial values. PI-PLC inactivation via phosphorylation by the mentioned protein kinases may constitute a feedback control on the phosphoinositide response, attenuating subsequent diacylglycerol formation and/or Ca2+ mobilization by inositol trisphosphate.

Ability of omega-3 fatty acids to restore the impaired glucose tolerance in a mouse model for type-2 diabetes. Different effects in male and female mice.

Mice of both sexes were fed diets with 80 per cent animal or vegetable fat for 3 months. Half of the animals also received SuperEPA, which contains 61% omega-3 fatty acids. At the end of the feeding period the mice receiving animal fat had gained more weight than the controls and the mice receiving vegetable fat, and all fat diet groups, irrespective of sex or kind of diet, had become hyperglycaemic and had impaired intravenous glucose tolerance. The decay in plasma glucose during the tolerance tests was, however, significantly slower in the groups getting animal fat than in the groups getting vegetable fat. Supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids only affected the male mice receiving the animal fat diet. Thus, these mice gained less weight, and both the hyperglycaemia and the impairment of the glucose tolerance were significantly less pronounced in this group than in the male mice fed animal fat without SuperEPA. In the groups eating fat diets, the plasma total cholesterol levels increased 50-100 per cent during the first 2 weeks of the experiment and then plateaued. In both sexes HDL-cholesterol averaged approx. sixty-five per cent of the total cholesterol content at the start of the experiment and was not changed significantly during the feeding period. It is concluded, that omega-3 fatty acids do not seem to be suitable as a general means of ameliorating impaired glucose tolerance. It is further suggested that the fat-fed mouse may be a useful animal model for further studies of the regulation of metabolism in type-2 diabetes.

Characteristics of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C activity from mouse pancreatic islets.

In pancreatic islets the bulk of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) activity was cytosolic. The soluble enzyme was activated by submicromolar concentrations of Ca2+, independent of calmodulin. It was unaffected by glucose and a series of glycolytic intermediates, including glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate. These observations lend support to the hypothesis that glucose-stimulated inositol triphosphate production in islets may be secondary to and provoked by glucose-mediated Ca2+ influx. All four pyridine nucleotides stimulated PI-PLC. Phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis was also stimulated by dioleine and arachidonic acid, and by the polyamines, putrescine and spermine. Phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis was inhibited by chlorpromazine, tetracaine, ATP, 5'-AMP, inorganic pyrophosphate and by phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine--but not affected by phosphatidylethanolamine. The cyclic nucleotides, cAMP and cGMP had no effect on the enzyme, and GTP-gamma-S did not activate the enzyme event at very low Ca2+ concentrations. The diglyceride lipase inhibitor, RHC 80267, and the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin, had no effect on PI-PLC activity.

Differential effects of secretin-fragments imply a dual mechanism of action for secretin.

The effects of synthetic peptides, representing different parts of the secretin molecule in isolated mouse pancreatic islets have been investigated in perifusion studies. In the presence of 10 mM D-glucose the C-terminal nonapeptide Leu-Gln-Arg-Leu-Leu-Gln-Gly-Leu-Val-NH2 (S19-27) showed a 2-fold higher activity than that earlier shown for S22-27 and had the same effect on the dynamic pattern of insulin release as secretin, while the elongating sequence Leu-Gln-Arg (S19-21) had no effect on the insulin release. The nonapeptide Leu-Ser-Arg-Leu-Arg-Asp-Ser-Ala-Arg (S10-18) had no influence on the insulin release. Glucagon release seen after intact secretin could not be shown for any of the smaller fragments. Accumulation of cAMP in the islets as seen with secretin, could at 10 mmol/L D-glucose only be demonstrated with S22-27 or S19-27 but not with S10-18 or S1-6. Our results indicate that full size secretin has to be present to stimulate glucagon release while insulin-releasing activity can be confined to the C-terminal part of the hormone.

Phorbol-ester-induced down-regulation of protein kinase C in mouse pancreatic islets. Potentiation of phase 1 and inhibition of phase 2 of glucose-induced insulin secretion.

The influence of down-regulation of protein kinase C on glucose-induced insulin secretion was studied. A 22-24 h exposure of mouse pancreatic islets to the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA; 0.16 microM) in RPMI 1640 culture medium (8.3 mM-glucose, 0.43 mM-Ca2+) abolished TPA (0.16 microM)-induced insulin secretion and led to a potentiation of phase 1 and a decrease in phase 2 of glucose-induced insulin secretion. Thus, although the total insulin release during 40 min of perfusion with glucose (16.7 mM) (45-85 min) was unaffected, the percentage released during phase 1 (45-55 min) was increased from 12.9 +/- 1.5 (4)% in controls to 35.8 +/- 3.9 (4)% in TPA-treated islets (P less than 0.01), and the percentage released during phase 2 (65-85 min) was decreased from 63.2 +/- 3.9 (4)% to 35.3 +/- 1.4 (4)% (P less than 0.005). In contrast, TPA exposure in TCM 199 medium (5.5 mM-glucose, 1.26 mM-Ca2+) caused a total abolition of both phases 1 and 2 of glucose-induced secretion. However, inclusion of the alpha 2-adrenergic agonists adrenaline (10 microM) or clonidine (10 microM), or lowering of the Ca2+ concentration in TCM 199 during down-regulation, preserved and potentiated phase 1 of glucose-induced secretion. Furthermore, perifusion of islets in the presence of staurosporine (1 microM), an inhibitor of protein kinase C, potentiated phase 1 and inhibited phase 2 of glucose-induced secretion. In addition, down-regulation of protein kinase C potentiated phase 1 and inhibited phase 2 of carbamoylcholine (100 microM)-induced insulin secretion at 3.3 mM-glucose, and abolished the potentiating effect of carbamoylcholine (100 microM) at 16.7 mM-glucose. These results substantiate a role for protein kinase C in insulin secretion, and suggest that protein kinase C inhibits phase 1 and stimulates phase 2 of both glucose-induced and carbamoylcholine-induced insulin secretion.

Effect of diacylglycerol lipase inhibitor RHC 80267 on pancreatic mouse islet metabolism and insulin secretion.

The effect of interference with diacylglycerol metabolism was investigated in pancreatic mouse islets. In the presence of the diacylglycerol lipase inhibitor RHC 80,267, glucose-induced insulin secretion was reduced 50-60%; whereas carbacholin-induced insulin secretion was unaffected. Addition of the diacylglycerol kinase inhibitor R 59,022 did not change glucose-stimulated insulin secretion but abolished the inhibition seen in the presence of RHC 80,267. RHC 80,267 increased islet glucose utilisation, measured as formation of tritiated water from 5-[3H]-glucose, 3-fold but did not affect glucose oxidation to CO2, lactate production or islet ATP levels. Glucose utilisation in leucocytes and hepatocytes was not increased by addition of RHC 80,267. Islet lipid production from glucose was augmented 4-fold in the presence of RHC 80,267 but only accounted for about 5% of the increase in glucose utilisation. The activity of adenylate cyclase and phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C was unaffected by RHC 80,267. Concentrations of RHC 80,267 below 35 mumol/l did not alter the activity of phospholipase A2; whereas higher concentrations of the drug inhibited phospholipase A2 activity approx 25%. The data support the hypothesis that production of arachidonic acid from diacylglycerol may be involved in regulation of insulin secretion.