EFFECTS OF ALLOXAN ON GLUCOSE-STIMULATED INSULIN-SECRETION, GLUCOSE-METABOLISM, AND CYCLIC ADENOSINE-3',5'-MONOPHOSPHATE LEVELS IN RAT ISOLATED ISLETS OF LANGERHANS

Insulin secretion was stimulated and cyclic adenosine 3′, 5′-monophosphate (cAMP) levels were elevated in isolated rat islets by 27.5 mmol/l glucose. Alloxan caused a dose-dependent decrease in both variables with complete obliteration of insulin release at a concentration of 1.25 mmol/l. D-glucose, in the presence or absence of extracellular calcium, or 3-0-methyl-D-glucose (both at 27.5 mmol/l) protected completely against the effects of alloxan on both glucose-induced insulin release and cAMP levels. 3-0-Methylglucose did not stimulate insulin secretion or elevate cAMP and did not interfere with glucose-stimulated secretion or elevation of cAMP. When glucose-stimulated insulin release was abolished by alloxan, the metabolism of glucose, determined by the rate of3H2O formation from [5-3H] glucose, was depressed by 20%. It is concluded that alloxan altered the adenylate cyclase system such that it could no longer be stimulated by glucose. Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion or elevation of cAMP did not appear essential for glucose to protect against alloxan. Protection by 3-0-methylglucose did not appear to be mediated through an alteration of cAMP metabolism. Alloxan did not inhibit glucose-induced insulin secretion by grossly altering glycolysis. © 1979 Springer-Verlag.