Amylin is a 37-amino acid peptide co-secreted from the pancreatic β-cell with insulin in response to nutrient stimuli. Plasma amylin concentrations in the rat are reported to vary widely. We have employed a recently-developed immuno-enzymometric assay to quantify plasma amylin concentrations in fasted, fed and glucose-administered rats. Fasted amylin concentrations ranged between 1.02 ± 0.09 and 1.63 ± 0.15 pM among three different common rat strains, and increased up to 7.70 ± 0.80 pM after feeding. The differences among strains and between fasted and fed rats were all significant at P < 0.01 or less. Intravenous glucose administration (5.2 mmol/kg) also significantly increased plasma amylin concentrations in fasted rats from 1.5 ± 0.3 pM to 3.4 ± 0.5 pM, and in fed rats from 4.6 ± 1.1 pM to 9.1 ± 1.7 pM. Plasma amylin/insulin molar ratios ranged between 2.3 ± 0.2% and 3.6 ± 0.5% (mean 3.0%), but did not differ among strains, or between the fasted vs fed state in any strain. In conclusion, a new sensitive immunoenzymometric assay revealed fasting plasma concentrations which are lower than previously reported, and which are significantly increased by stimulation with feeding or glucose administration.
Key words
Amylin - Immunoenzymometric assay - Rats
