Magnesium requirement for somatostatin inhibition of insulin secretion

Rat pancreas perfusions were performed using a perfusate with a fixed calcium concentration of 5 mEq/l and magnesium varying from 0 to 0.6 mEq/dl. Insulin secretion was stimulated by a constant glucose infusion of 300 mg/dl. This glucose concentration produces the typical biphasic insulin secretory response. We observed that in the absence of magnesium, somatostatin concentrations of 0.5 and 2.0 ng/ml were without effect on first phase insulin secretion. However, these same somatostatin levels produced 50% or more inhibition of insulin secretion in the presence of magnesium at 0.3 or 0.6 mEq/l. Similarly, in the absence of magnesium, somatostatin at 50 ng/ml failed to inhibit second phase insulin secretion, whereas this same somatostatin level produced about 50% inhibition of insulin secretion in the presence of magnesium at 0.3 mEq/l. Thus, altering perfusate magnesium concentrations without changing calcium is an important determinant of the degree of inhibition of secretion produced by somatostatin. In particular, in the absence of magnesium ion, somatostatin concentrations which would 'normally' produce 50% inhibition of secretion (ID50) are without effect. Therefore, magnesium ion is necessary for the full inhibitory effect of somatostatin to occur. These results suggest that inhibitors, as well as potentiators, of the insulin secretory process may act by altering intracellular/membrane calcium-magnesium ratios, but in opposite directions.