Presence of galanin in human pancreatic nerves and inhibition of insulin secretion from isolated human islets

In several animal species, galanin occurs in pancreatic nerves and inhibits insulin secretion. However, the presence and action of galanin in the human pancreas have not been established. Therefore, we examined the presence and nature of human pancreatic galanin-like immunoreactive material (GLIR) a...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cell and tissue research 1991-05, Vol.264 (2), p.263-267
Main Authors: AHREN, B, AAMER AR'RAJAB, BOTTCHER, G, SUNDLER, F, DUNNING, B. E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
Endocrine pancreas
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Galanin
Glucose - pharmacology
Hormones. Régulation
Humans
Immunohistochemistry
In Vitro Techniques
Insulin - metabolism
Insulin Secretion
Islets of Langerhans - drug effects
Islets of Langerhans - metabolism
Nervous System - metabolism
Neuropeptides - metabolism
Neuropeptides - pharmacology
Neuropeptides - physiology
Pancreas - innervation
Peptides - metabolism
Peptides - pharmacology
Peptides - physiology
Swine
Vertebrates: endocrinology
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:In several animal species, galanin occurs in pancreatic nerves and inhibits insulin secretion. However, the presence and action of galanin in the human pancreas have not been established. Therefore, we examined the presence and nature of human pancreatic galanin-like immunoreactive material (GLIR) and the effects of galanin on glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from isolated human islets. Immunofluorescent staining of human pancreas revealed GLIR in fine varicose fibers in both islets and exocrine parenchyma. Furthermore, acid extracts of pancreas (n = 3) and isolated islets (n = 3) contained 0.17 +/- 0.06 and 0.23 +/- 0.11 pmol GLIR/mg protein. Human pancreatic GLIR coeluted with synthetic porcine galanin from Sephadex G-50. Moreover, synthetic porcine galanin inhibited glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from collagenase-isolated human islets at dose rates greater than 10(-8) M. Thus, (1) human pancreas is innervated by galanin-containing nerves, (2) human pancreatic GLIR is of similar size as synthetic porcine galanin, and (3) porcine galanin inhibits glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from human islets. Therefore, galanin could be an important local regulator of insulin secretion in man.
ISSN:0302-766X
1432-0878
DOI:10.1007/bf00313963