Effect of Verapamil on pancreatic glucagon release from the isolated, perfused canine pancreas

Abstract

The effect of Verapamil, a potent calcium antagonist, upon pancreatic glucagon release was investigated in the isolated, perfused canine pancreas. Verapamil at concentrations ranging between 10⁻⁵-10⁻⁴ mol/I caused a dosc-related inhibition of glucagon release at a glucose concentration of 25 mg/dl. The inhibition was an immediate and reversible phenomenon. The inhibitory effect was reduced when the Ca²⁺ concentration was increased from 1.3 to 5.0 mmol/I. The results are compatible with earlier findings from our laboratory demonstrating that calcium plays a key role in the stimulus-secretion coupling of glucagon release.

Key Words:

• Verapamil
• glucagon release
• calcium
• isolated
• perfused pancreas