Adrenergic regulation of insulin secretion from the chicken pancreas in vitro

Adrenergic regulation of insulin secretion in the chicken was studied using a perifused pancreas fragment preparation. Beta-adrenergic stimulation by 50 microM isoproterenol potentiated theophylline-stimulated insulin secretion. Glucose at 19.5 mM did not stimulate insulin secretion, a finding consistent with previous reports of chicken pancreas sensitivity in vitro. Pretreatment with 50 microM isoproterenol did not alter this glucose insensitivity. Alpha-adrenergic stimulation by 50 microM epinephrine in the presence of beta blockade by sotalol or by 50 microM phenylephrine did not alter insulin secretion. Inhibition of insulin secretion by somatostatin could be demonstrated, however. Epinephrine, 50 and 0.164 microM, potentiated theophylline-stimulated insulin release and at 50 microM stimulated insulin secretion as an off-response even in the absence of theophylline. It is concluded that adrenergic regulation of insulin secretion in the chicken is primarily mediated through beta-adrenergic receptors, resulting in stimulation of insulin secretion.