Effects of PHI on hormonal secretion from perfused rat pancreas

Effects of the novel gastrointestinal polypeptide PHI with N-terminal histidine, C-terminal isoleucine amide, and 27 amino acids have been studied in isolated perfused rat pancreas. PHI increased the release of insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin. The amounts of these hormones released were strictly dependent on the prevailing glucose concentrations. In the absence of glucose, PHI (1 nmol/liter) stimulated glucagon release. In the presence of 4.4 and 6.7 mmol/liter glucose, the same dose of this peptide stimulated insulin and somatostatin release. In the presence of 16.7 mmol/liter glucose, only insulin secretion was increased by PHI. When arginine was used as a secretagogue, PHI (10 nmol/liter) potentiated secretion of insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin. Thus, PHI may take part in the regulation of the function of the pancreatic A, B, and D cells.