Selective muscarinic sensitivity in perfused pancreata of obese Zucker rats

Insulin secretion was evaluated in response to the muscarinic agonist, bethanechol, and to the antagonist, atropine, in three-month-old female homozygous lean (Fa/Fa) and obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats, using an in vitro pancreas perfusion. Three doses of bethanechol were used (0.5, 5 or 50 microM). Bethanechol at 50 microM concentration had a significant potentiating effect on glucose-induced insulin secretion in pancreata from both lean and obese rats. There was no effect of atropine (25 microM) on insulin secretion in pancreata from either lean or obese rats. In another study, the perfusate used contained glucose at 75, 125 or 200 mg/dl for the entire 60 min period. Perfusate, with or without bethanechol (50 microM), was infused from 21-40 min, using a side-arm syringe. In general, bethanechol significantly increased insulin secretory rates in both lean and obese rats. Since the pancreas of obese rats secretes more insulin to the same glucose concentration than the pancreas of lean rats, we compared changes in insulin release due to bethanechol in obese and lean rats having comparable basal insulin secretory rates during the 11-20 min period. To produce comparable insulin secretion, glucose levels in the perfusate were kept lower in the obese group (75 mg/dl). In the comparably secreting lean group, a glucose level of 200 mg/dl was required. We also compared changes in insulin secretory rate due to bethanechol stimulation between groups with comparable insulin secretory rates during the 21-40 min period in the control groups, i.e. 75 mg/dl glucose in the obese group vs. 125 mg/dl glucose in the lean group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)