α2-Adrenoceptors modulating insulin release from isolated pancreatic islets

Abstract

Using rat isolated pancreatic islets, we investigated the effects of various α-adrenoceptor blocking agents on adrenaline-induced inhibition of glucose-stimulated insulin release. Yohimbine was about 100 times more potent than prazosin in antagonizing the inhibitory effect of adrenaline. At concentrations of 10 μM, phentolamine was about as effective as an antagonist as yohimbine, whereas dihydroergotamine, WB-4101 and phenoxybenzamine were less effective and prazosin produced very little antagonism. These results strongly suggest that postsynaptic α2-adrenoceptors modulate insulin release from pancreatic islets. © 1980 Springer-Verlag.