Effects of glucose on insulin release and 86Rb permeability in cultured neonatal and adult rat islets

Glucose-induced insulin release and modifications in 86Rb outflow were studied in cultured neonatal and adult rat islets. The dose-response curve for neonatal islets was steeper than for adult islets and the maximal response was clearly shifted towards lower glucose concentrations. In neonatal islets, glucose-induced insulin release was inhibited by the Ca2+-channel blocker, nifedipine. In the absence of glucose, the 86Rb outflow from neonatal islets was lower than from adult islets. Also, the glucose-induced reduction in 86Rb outflow was less pronounced in neonatal islets. Altered K+ permeability in the B-cell membrane could explain the change in glucose sensitivity of neonatal islets.