Mechanisms of the stimulation of insulin release by oxytocin in normal mouse islets

Oxytocin (OT) produced a dose-dependent increase in somatostatin, glucagon and insulin release by isolated mouse islets. A small effect on somatostatin release was observed with 0.1 nM-OT, but 1-10 nM-OT was required to affect A- and B- cells significantly. The effects of OT on somatostatin and glucagon release were similar in the presence of 3 mM- and 10 mM-glucose. No change in insulin release was produced by OT in 3 mM-glucose, but a stimulation was still observed in the presence of a maximally effective concentration of glucose (30 mM). The increase in insulin release produced by OT (in 15 mM-glucose) was accompanied by small accelerations of 86Rb and 45Ca efflux from islet cells. Omission of extracellular Ca2+ accentuated the effect of OT on 86Rb efflux, attenuated that on 45Ca efflux, and abolished that on release. OT never inhibited 86Rb efflux. It did not affect the resting potential of B-cells, but slightly increased the Ca2(+)-dependent electrical activity induced by 15 mM-glucose. OT did not affect cyclic AMP levels, but increased inositol phosphate levels in islet cells. It is suggested that the amplification of glucose-induced insulin release that OT produces is due to a stimulation of phosphoinositide metabolism, and presumably an activation of protein kinase C, rather than to a change in cyclic AMP levels or a direct action on the membrane potential. Since OT is present in the pancreas, it is possible that it exerts a neuropeptidergic control of the islet function.