Insulin Secretion in vitro by Pancreatic Tissue from Normal, Adrenalectomized, and Cortisol-Treated Rats.

Abstract

Insulin secretion provoked by glucose in the pancreas of the rat is not modified by addition of methylprednisolone to the incubation medium. Secretion by pancreatic tissue of the normal rat is reduced (to 60%) by prior adrenalectomy and increased (by 50%) after treatment with cortisol for 2 or 5 days. Treatment with cortisol for 3 days prevents the effect of adrenalectomy. These alterations are not associated with significant changes in the insulin content of the pancreas, and suggest that gluco-corticoids increase the sensitivity of the insulin secretory mechanism of the beta cells to glucose either directly or indirectly in a chronic process.