Role of glucose and insulin in the dynamic regulation of glucagon release by the perfused rat pancreas

The effect of glucose upon the release of glucagon and insulin from the perfused rat pancreas in vitro was studied by varying both the concentration of glucose (from 3.3 to 4.6, 8.5, or 11.1 mmol/l) and the time of exposure to an elevated concentration of the sugar (5, 10 or 23 min). The results suggest that the amount of insulin released during the early period of stimulation could contribute to both the speed and extent of the inhibition in glucagon release. The rate of recovery from inhibition in the A cell, however, appeared to be independent of insulin and was related, in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner, only to the glucose stimulus. It is suggested that a direct effect of glucose upon the A cell is involved in the physiological regulation of glucagon secretion. An indirect effect of glucose, as mediated via insulin release, may contribute to the rapidity and magnitude of inhibition in A cell secretory activity.