title: Insulin, prostaglandin E2 and glucagon release by human tissue incubated in vitro. Influence of indomethacin.
abstract: In view of reports that prostaglandins influence insulin and glucagon secretion, we have studied PGE2, insulin and glucagon release from fragments (15-20 mg) of human insulinoma tissue incubated in vitro in the absence or presence of indomethacin (100 mumol/liter) an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis. Acid-ethanol extraction of this tissue showed the following hormonal contents : insulin : 7.17 U and glucagon 84.4 ng per g of tissue (wet weight). In the absence of indomethacin, the mean release of PGE2, insulin and glucagon into the incubation medium was 3.65 +/- 1.3 pmol, 10.5 +/- 1.2 mU and 708.4 +/- 141.8 pg in two hours (mean of 5 vials containing 2 fragments of 15-20 mg of tissue). PGE2 release was significantly inhibited in the presence of indomethacin (0.89 +/- 0.23 pmol). This effect was associated with a significantly higher insulin (16.8 +/- 1.9 mU/2 hours) and lower glucagon (176 +/- 19.7 pg/2 hours) release. These results support the view that insular tissue possesses a prostaglandin synthesis system which positively modulates glucagon secretion whereas it negatively influences insulin release.
mesh_terms: D007516:Adenoma, Islet Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000328:Adult; D005934:Glucagon / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism*; D000078790:Insulin Secretion; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011458:Prostaglandins E / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin; D011458:Prostaglandins E; D005934:Glucagon; D007213:Indomethacin