Amylin release from perfused rat pancreas in response to glucose and arginine

The effects of glucose and arginine on the release of amylin from the perfused rat pancreas were studied. Amylin, or islet amyloid polypeptide, is a 37-amino acid peptide isolated from pancreatic islet amyloid of patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Glucose stimulated dose-dependently amylin release, showing a typical biphasic pattern. Additionally, 10 mM arginine in the presence of 5.5 mM glucose also stimulated amylin release. These findings suggest that amylin is a secretory protein and its release from the pancreas is regulated by glucose and other nutrients.