ISOFLURANE INHIBITS INSULIN-SECRETION FROM ISOLATED RAT PANCREATIC-ISLETS OF LANGERHANS

We have investigated the effects of isoflurane on insulin secretion in vitro from rat isolated islets of Langerhans and found a significant, dose-related and reversible inhibition of insulin secretion. Isoflura ne 2% decreased insulin secretion stimulated by glucose 20 mmol litre- 1 to basal, non-stimulated values. In other studies to identify the st age in the stimulus secretion pathway for insulin at which the anaesth etic may exert an inhibitory action, we have stimulated insulin releas e using glyceraldehyde and a phorbol ester. Insulin secretion induced by these secretagogues was also blocked by isoflurane. This suggests t hat the inhibitory effect of the anaesthetic agent may be at a site di stal to stimulation of insulin secretion by glyceraldehyde and phorbol esters.