Dynamics of somatostatin and insulin release from isolated rat pancreatic islets: Evidence for intraislet interactions between B cells and D cells☆

Abstract Glucose stimulates the release of somatostatin and insulin from isolated rat pancreatic islets. 1 This stimulation appears to be mediated via the islet's adenylate cyclase-phosphodiesterase system. 2 However, the dynamics of both secretory processes are different. In particular, islets previously exposed to a medium containing a high glucose concentration respond with an immediate decrease in insulin release and a transient increase in somatostatin release when the glucose concentration is suddenly lowered. 3 This suggests that somatostatin release is stimulated by glucose but might be inhibited by phenomena associated with a high secretory activity of B cells. The aim of the present study is to further characterize the apparent intraislet interactions between B cells and D cells.