INSULIN REGULATION OF HEPATIC GLUCOSE-TRANSPORTER PROTEIN IS IMPAIREDIN CHRONIC-PANCREATITIS

Objective The effect of chronic pancreatitis and insulin on the expres sion of the hepatic facilitative glucose transporter protein (GLUT-2) was determined in rats. Summary Background Data Chronic pancreatitis i s associated with diabetes mellitus or impaired glucose tolerance. Sup pression of hepatic glucose production (HGP) by insulin is impaired, a lthough the mechanism is unknown. Methods Normal rats, rats with chron ic pancreatitis induced 12 to 16 weeks earlier by oleic acid injection into the pancreatic ducts, and sham-operated rats were studied. Isola ted, single-pass liver perfusion was performed, during which glucagon (1.2 pM) was infused, with or without insulin (0.6 or 1.2 nM). The sup pression of HGP production by insulin was compared with changes in GLU T-2 in the membrane fraction of liver biopsies obtained before and aft er hormone perfusion.