Vitamin D deficiency inhibits pancreatic secretion of insulin.
The effects of a vitamin D deficiency on insulin and glucagon release was determined in the isolated perfused rat pancreas by radioimmunoassay of the secreted proteins. During a 30-minute period of perfusion with glucose and arginine, pancreases from vitamin D-deficient rats exhibited a 48 percent reduction in insulin secretion compared to that for pancreases from vitamin D-deficient rats that had been replenished with vitamin D. Vitamin D status had no effect on pancreatic glucagon secretion. This result, along with the previously demonstrated presence in the pancreas of a vitamin D-dependent calcium-binding protein and cytosol receptor for the hormonal form of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, indicates an important role for vitamin D in the endocrine functioning of the pancreas.
D000818:Animals; D001120:Arginine / Q000494:pharmacology; D002762:Cholecalciferol / Q000172:deficiency*; D005934:Glucagon / Q000378:metabolism; D005947:Glucose / Q000494:pharmacology; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism*; D000078790:Insulin Secretion; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D013997:Time Factors; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000378:metabolism*
D007328:Insulin; D002762:Cholecalciferol; D005934:Glucagon; D001120:Arginine; D005947:Glucose