Hypothermia and Insulin Secretion

Abstract

The effect of decreased body temperature on insulin secretion was studied using the isolated perfused rat pancreas. It was found that hypothermia directly inhibits insulin release and that there exists a direct relationship between tissue temperature and total quantity of insulin released (in response to either glucose or tolbutamide stimulation). The temperature coefficient of insulin secretion was found to be extremely high. Partial inhibition of insulin release also occurred in pancreata 30 min after they had been subjected to extreme cold (26 C) and then were brought up to body temperature (38 C). This indicates that hypothermic inhibition is not readily reversible; but instead the tissue requires a period of time greater than 30 min in which to regain its normal secretory process. Lastly, hypothermic inhibition also occurred in the presence of an alpha adrenergic blocking, agent, phentolamine, therefore excluding catecholamine inhibition as a sole explanation for the mechanism of this phenomenon. (Endocrinology87: 750, 1970)