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Horm Metab Res 2005; 37(11): 662-665
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-870575
Original Basic
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Testosterone Rapidly Stimulates Insulin Release from Isolated Pancreatic Islets through a Non-genomic Dependent Mechanism

M.  L.  Grillo1 , A.  P.  Jacobus1 , R.  Scalco2 , F.  Amaral1 , D.  O.  Rodrigues1 , E.  S.  Loss1 , G.  F.  Wassermann1
  • 1Departamento de Fisiologia, ICBS, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
  • 2Unidade de Radioimunoensaio, Serviço de Patologia Clínica, HCPA, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
Further Information

Publication History

Received 2 February 2005

Accepted after revision 29 June 2005

Publication Date:
25 November 2005 (online)

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Abstract

The action of testosterone on the 45Ca2+ uptake and insulin secretion was studied in short-term experiments using isolated pancreatic islets of Langerhans. Testosterone (1 µM) stimulated 45Ca2+ uptake within 60 seconds of incubation on similar proportion than tolbutamide. Also, the hormone rapidly increased insulin release (34 %; 180 seconds) on the presence of non-stimulatory concentrations of glucose (3 mM). Impermeant testosterone-BSA significantly stimulated the secretion of insulin to a lower percentage (10 %). The action of the hormone is specific - neither 17β-E2 nor progesterone stimulated insulin secretion in the presence of 3 mM glucose. The action of testosterone on insulin secretion was dose-dependent, and at rat plasma physiological concentrations (25 nM), stimulus was 17 % (p < 0.05). In conclusion, in isolated pancreatic islets experiments, physiological concentration of testosterone rapidly stimulate insulin secretion and 45Ca2+ uptake through a membrane bound mechanism.

Key words

Testosterone - insulin release - pancreatic islets - 45Ca2+ uptake

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G. F. Wassermann

Departamento de Fisiologia · ICBS · UFRGS

Rua Sarmento Leite, 500 · CEP 90050-170 Porto Alegre, RS · Brazil

Phone: +55 (51) 33 16 33 02

Fax: +55 (51) 33 16 33 02

Email: gwass@ufrgs.br