Effects of aliphatic dioic acids and glycerol-1,2,3-tris(dodecanedioate) on D-glucose-stimulated insulin release in rat pancreatic islets

Aliphatic dioic acids have been proposed as alternative nutrients in select ed clinical situations. In this study, their possible insulinotropic action was investigated in isolated rat pancreatic islets prepared from fed rats. Azelaic acid, sebacic acid and tridecanedioic acids, when tested at a 10.0 mm concentration, were found to augment insulin release evoked by D-glucos e (7.0 mm) in the pancreatic islets. Likewise, glycerol-1,2,3-tris(dodecano edioate), when used at concentrations close to 1.0 mm, increased the secret ory response to the hexose. It is speculated that these findings may extend to insulin-producing cells, the knowledge that aliphatic dioic acids or th eir esters may act as energy substrates, e.g. in parenteral nutrition.