Diabetes, Vol 40, Issue 2 181-189, Copyright © 1991 by American Diabetes Association
Comparative modulations of insulin secretion, pancreatic insulin content, and proinsulin mRNA in rats. Effects of 50% pancreatectomy and dexamethasone administration
MJ Orland and MA Permutt
Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110.
These studies compared measurements of in vivo insulin secretion, insulin
stores, and insulin synthesis. Rats were studied at 24 wk of age, either 1
or 20 wk after a sham operation (Sham) or 50% pancreatectomy (Px), reducing
beta-cell number. By 20 wk after surgery, an adaptation to pancreatectomy
was apparent from results of serial glucose tolerance tests, done in a
preliminary protocol. Some of the rats also received dexamethasone (ShamDex
and PxDex, respectively), imposing insulin resistance. Insulin secretion
was assessed with the acute insulin response to arginine under basal
(AIRbas) and maximum glucose-potentiated (AIRmax) states. Pancreatic
insulin was measured, and insulin synthesis was estimated by measurement of
proinsulin mRNA. At 1 wk after surgery, there was no difference among Sham
and Px rats in AIRbas, but in the Px rats, expected reductions of AIRmax,
pancreatic insulin, and proinsulin mRNA were found. ShamDex rats had a
markedly augmented AIRbas and increased AIRmax and proinsulin mRNA.
However, pancreatic insulin was reduced both in ShamDex and PxDex rats. At
20 wk after surgery, the predicted adaptation to Px was substantiated by
AIRmax and proinsulin mRNA in Px rats not different from those in Sham
rats, but pancreatic insulin in the Px rats remained low. AIRbas and
proinsulin mRNA were augmented in ShamDex and PxDex rats, but pancreatic
insulin was again reduced, and in PxDex rats, low AIRmax and fed
hyperglycemia were seen. Linear correlations of AIRbas and AIRmax with
proinsulin mRNA were observed over a roughly fourfold range of secretion
and synthesis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)