Mechanisms of p-methoxycinnamic acid-induced increase in insulin secretion

p-Methoxycinnamic acid (p-MCA) is a cinnamic acid derivative that shows various pharmacologic actions such as hepatoprotective and antihyperglycemic activities. The present study was to elucidate the mechanisms by which p-MCA increases [Ca²⁺]i and insulin secretion in INS-1 cells. p-MCA (100 μM) increased [Ca²⁺]i in INS-1 cells. The p-MCA-induced insulin secretion and rise in [Ca²⁺]i were markedly inhibited in the absence of extracellular Ca²⁺ or in the presence of an L-type Ca²⁺ channel blocker nimodipine. These results suggested that p-MCA increased Ca²⁺ influx via the L-type Ca²⁺ channels. Diazoxide, an ATP-sensitive K⁺ channel opener, did not alter p-MCA-induced insulin secretion, nor [Ca²⁺]i response. In addition, p-MCA enhanced glucose-, glibenclamide-induced insulin secretion whereas it also potentiated the increase in insulin secretion induced by arginine, and Bay K 8644, an L-type Ca²⁺ channel agonist. Taken together, our results suggest that p-MCA stimulated insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells by increasing Ca²⁺ influx via the L-type Ca²⁺ channels, but not through the closure of ATP-sensitive K⁺ channels.