Modulation of islet ATP content by inhibition or stimulation of the Na(+)/K(+) pump

High (30 mM) K(+), known to cause beta-cell membrane depolarisation, significantly decreased the islet total ATP content, supporting the view that beta-cell membrane depolarisation can activate the ATP-consuming Na(+)/K(+) pump. Ouabain (1 mM) did not change the islet ATP content after 5-15 min of incubation in the absence or presence of 3 mM glucose but reduced it after 30 min, and in the presence of 20 mM glucose, the reduction by ouabain occurred already after 15 min. Incubation of islets with ouabain for 60 min decreased the islet ATP content in the presence of 3, 10 or 20 mM glucose or 30 mM K(+). Also, the islet glucose oxidation rate was decreased by ouabain. When K(+) deficiency was used to inhibit the Na(+)/K(+) pump, no change in ATP content was observed irrespective of glucose concentration, although K(+) deficiency caused a slight inhibition of the glucose oxidation rate. Diazoxide reduced the islet glucose oxidation rate and increased the islet ATP content in the presence of 20 mM glucose. There may exist a feedback mechanism decreasing the flow of glucose metabolism in response to reduced ATP consumption by the Na(+)/K(+) pump.