Reduction in Voltage-Gated K+ Currents in Primary Cultured Rat Pancreatic β-Cells by Linoleic Acids

Free fatty acids (FFAs), in addition to glucose, have been shown to stimulate insulin release through the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)40 receptor in pancreatic β-cells. Intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in β-cells is elevated by FFAs, although the mechanism underlying the [Ca2+]i increase is still unknown. In this study, we investigated the action of linoleic acid on voltage-gated K+ currents. Nystatin-perforated recordings were performed on identified rat β-cells. In the presence of nifedipine, tetrodotoxin, and tolbutamide, voltage-gated K+ currents were observed. The transient current represents less than 5%, whereas the delayed rectifier current comprises more than 95%, of the total K+ currents. A long-chain unsaturated FFA, linoleic acid (10 μm), reversibly decreased the amplitude of K+ currents (to less than 10%). This reduction was abolished by the cAMP/protein kinase A system inhibitors H89 (1 μm) and Rp-cAMP (10 μm) but was not affected by protein kinase C inhibitor. In addi...