Effects of alpha-adrenoceptor agonists and antagonists on insulin secreting cells and pancreatic blood vessels: comparative study

Abstract

The effects of alpha-adrenergic drugs were studied on glucose-induced insulin secretion and effluent flow rate on the same preparation: the isolated perfused rat pancreas. An alpha 1-adrenoceptor agonist, phenylephrine 0.05 microM slightly decreased insulin secretion (-25%); this inhibition was counteracted by an alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist, yohimbine 0.6 microM. Phenylephrine evoked a fall in liquid flow rate (-13%) which was reversed by an alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist, prazosin 6 microM, but not by yohimbine. An alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist, clonidine 0.01 and 0.05 microM decreased insulin secretion (-80%). This inhibition was reversed by yohimbine 0.6 and 6 microM respectively. Only the concentration of 0.05 microM clonidine evoked a fall (-25%) in liquid flow rate; this fall was counteracted by yohimbine 0.6 microM. In conclusion our results show that adrenergic inhibition of insulin secretion is mediated only by alpha 2-receptors whereas both types of adrenoceptors are implicated in the vasoconstrictor effect. The insulin inhibitory effect of adrenoceptor agonists is not related to vasoconstriction.