Usage Information
Abstract
Glucose-induced inhibition of Ca++ extrusion from the β-cell may contribute to the rise in cytosol Ca++ that leads to insulin release. To study whether interference with Na/Ca exchange is involved in this inhibition the effects of glucose were compared to those of ouabain. This substance inhibits Na/K ATPase, decreases the transmembrane Na+ gradient in islets, and thus interferes with Na/Ca exchange. Collagenase isolated rat islets were maintained for 2 d in tissue culture with a trace amount of 45Ca++. Insulin release and 45Ca++ efflux were then measured during perifusion. In Ca++-deprived medium (to avoid changes in tissue specific radioactivity) 16.7 mM glucose inhibited 45Ca++ efflux. Initially 1 mM ouabain inhibited 45Ca++ efflux in a similar fashion, the onset being even faster than that of glucose. The effects of 16.7 mM glucose and ouabain were not additive, indicating that both substances may interfere with Na/Ca exchange. In the presence of Ca++, 16.7 mM glucose induced biphasic insulin release. Ouabain alone caused a gradual increase of insulin release. Again, the effects of ouabain and 16.7 mM glucose were not additive. In contrast, at a submaximal glucose concentration (7 mM) ouabain enhanced both phases of release. An important role for Na/Ca exchange is suggested from experiments in which Ca++ was removed at the time of glucose-stimulation (16.7 mM). The resulting marked inhibition of insulin release was completely overcome during first phase by ouabain added at the time of Ca++ removal; second phase was restored to 60%. This could be due to the rapid inhibitory action of ouabain on Ca++ efflux thereby preventing loss of cellular calcium critical for glucose to induce insulin release. It appears, therefore, that interference with Na/Ca exchange is an important event in the stimulation of insulin release by glucose.
Authors
Eberhard G. Siegel, Claes B. Wollheim, Albert E. Renold, Geoffrey W. G. Sharp
Usage data is cumulative from May 2025 through May 2026.
| Usage | JCI | PMC |
|---|---|---|
| Text version | 202 | 2 |
| 84 | 7 | |
| Scanned page | 488 | 6 |
| Citation downloads | 116 | 0 |
| Totals | 890 | 15 |
| Total Views | 905 | |
Usage information is collected from two different sources: this site (JCI) and Pubmed Central (PMC). JCI information (compiled daily) shows human readership based on methods we employ to screen out robotic usage. PMC information (aggregated monthly) is also similarly screened of robotic usage.
Various methods are used to distinguish robotic usage. For example, Google automatically scans articles to add to its search index and identifies itself as robotic; other services might not clearly identify themselves as robotic, or they are new or unknown as robotic. Because this activity can be misinterpreted as human readership, data may be re-processed periodically to reflect an improved understanding of robotic activity. Because of these factors, readers should consider usage information illustrative but subject to change.
Copyright © 2026 American Society for Clinical Investigation
ISSN: 0021-9738 (print), 1558-8238 (online)