Estrogen increases glucose-induced insulin secretion from mouse pancreatic islets cultured in a prolonged high glucose condition.
BACKGROUND
It is known that males are more susceptible to develop type 2 diabetes than females. Estrogen has a protective effect on pancreatic islet against toxic agent such as amyloid. The role of estrogen in protection pancreatic islet against high glucose is still unknown.


OBJECTIVE
Administration of estrogen in an ovariectomised animal shows a protective effect against type 2 diabetes. The present study aimed to determine the direct effect of estrogen on the islet function after prolonged culture in high glucose.


METHODS
Estrogen (10-1 M in ethanol) was co-cultured with mouse pancreatic islets in normal glucose medium (11.1 mM) for 3 hours or with normal and high glucose medium (40 mM) for 10 days.


RESULTS
Estrogen increased glucose-induced insulin secretion in islet culture in normal glucose medium for both 3-hour and 10-day culture. Prolonged exposure of pancreatic islet to high glucose generated impaired glucose-induced insulin secretion, which was partially abrogated by the presence of 10(-5) M estrogen.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicated a direct effect of estrogen on improving insulin secretion from mouse pancreatic islets that has been impaired by prolonged exposure to high glucose.
Kooptiwut
Suwattanee
S
Division of Endocrinology, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, 2 Prannok, Bangkoknoi, Bangkok 10700, Thailand. siskw@mahidol.ac.th
Semprasert
Namoiy
N
Chearskul
Supornpim
S
D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000517:prevention & control; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism*; D000078790:Insulin Secretion; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D013997:Time Factors
D001786:Blood Glucose; D004967:Estrogens; D007328:Insulin