Dl. Eizirik et al., INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH-FACTOR-I DOES NOT INHIBIT INSULIN-SECRETION IN ADULT HUMAN PANCREATIC-ISLETS IN TISSUE-CULTURE, European journal of endocrinology, 133(2), 1995, pp. 248-250
Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) has been found to increase insuli
n sensitivity and suppress insulin secretion, thereby having a potenti
al interest as a therapeutic agent for non-insulin-dependent diabetes
mellitus (NIDDM), The aim of the present study was to investigate the
direct actions of IGF-I (400 ng/ml) on human pancreatic islets, or on
rat pancreatic islets, during a 48 h period in tissue culture. Insulin
-like growth factor I did not affect medium insulin accumulation, DNA
or insulin content or short-term glucose-induced insulin release of hu
man islets. However, in rat islets the peptide induced a significant d
ecrease in the insulin increase ratio in response to 16,7 mmol/l gluco
se. In conclusion, the present data suggest that IGF-I does not direct
ly affect the function of human pancreatic beta-cells. If this in vitr
o data can be extrapolated to the in vivo situation, it suggests that
the observed inhibitory effects of IGF-I on serum insulin levels may b
e secondary to peripheral effects of the peptide.