Evidence that a "memory' for glucose metabolism desensitizes A-cell responsiveness in the perfused pancreas of the rat.

The effects of prior exposure to glucose or an inhibitor of glycolysis (iodoacetate) on A-cell sensitivity to glucose in the perfused pancreas of the rat was investigated. Inhibition of glucagon secretion by a high glucose concentration (22 mM) was attenuated and delayed when tested 20 min after a previous infusion with the same glucose concentration. Previously elevated glucose also delayed for 2 min a glucagon response to glucose omission whereas the total response was not significantly affected. During a 20 min perfusion with 1 mM iodoacetate, glucagon secretion increased and rates of secretion were further augmented after withdrawal of iodoacetate. When introduced 10 min after cessation of the iodoacetate pulse, 22 mM glucose failed to affect insulin or somatostatin release but, conversely, induced a profound decrease in glucagon secretion which was more marked than during control conditions.A-cell sensitivity to glucose is diminished and enhanced by prior fuel abundance and deprivation, respectively. Such effects could be due to persisting changes in A-cell energy availability rather than to pertubations in insulin or somatostatin secretion.