Prostacyclin does not affect insulin secretion in humans

The effects of Prostacyclin (PGI2) infusion on insulin secretion and glucose tolerance were investigated in 7 healthy subjects. PGI2 infusion caused no statistically significant changes of either glucose or insulin concentration, over the range 2.5-20 ng/Kg/min. A constant PGI2 infusion (10 ng/Kg/min) did not inhibit acute insulin responses to a glucose (20 g i.v.) pulse (response before PGI2 = 612 +/- 307%; during PGI2 = 515 +/- 468%, mean +/- SD, mean change 3-5 min insulin, % basal; P=NS). Glucose disappearance rates were similar after the first and second glucose pulse. Thus, in contrast to PGE2, PGI2 does not affect insulin secretion nor glucose disposal at doses producing platelet and vascular changes. It is hypothesized that an altered PGI2/PGE2 balance in diabetes may represent a link between vascular, platelet and metabolic changes.