Islet blood flow was quantified in NIDDM rats either of the GK strain
on after neonatal injection of STZ (nO-STZ), using the non-radioactive
microsphere technique. In the basal state, there was a good correlati
on between plasma insulin level and islet blood flow, i.e. both were i
ncreased or decreased in comparison to those of control rats in GK and
nO-STZ rats, respectively. The increased islet blood flow and plasma
insulin levels observed in the GK rats were abolished by bilateral sub
diaphragmatic vagotomy. During a glucose challenge, whereas plasma ins
ulin and islet blood flow were doubled in control rats, these paramete
rs were not modified in the diabetic rats. These data demonstrate an a
lteration in the islet blood flow of diabetic rats during a glucose ch
allenge which could participate in the abnormal glucose-induced insuli
n secretion previously described in these two models.