BETA-CELL CAPACITY FOR INSULIN SECRETION IN MICRODISSECTED PANCREATIC ISLETS FROM OBESE-HYPERGLYCEMIC MICE

The pancreatic islets in obese-hyperglycemic mice display a normal response of insulin secretion when stimulated with glucose in vitro. This indicates that the impaired glucose metabolism is due to extra-pancreatic factors rather than to deficient β-cell function. In fact, the pancreas of these mice is a useful source from which to isolate large numbers of mammalian β-cells suitable for studies of the synthesis and secretion of insulin. The very large islets secreted less insulin than the normally sized ones. Whether this can be attributed to a low concentration gradient for insulin in the central part of the large islets or to the presence of α1-cells remains obscure. © 1969.