[Measurement of cyclic AMP in the islets of Langerhans of newborn rats. Effect of amino acids].

Radioimmunoassay of cyclic AMP (cAMP) in the islets of Langerhans from 48-64 h old Rats was performed after succinylation of the samples. cAMP was detected at 0.03 nM. The cAMP content of islets increases when L-arginine, L-lysine and L alanine are added together in the incubation medium at a concentration of 5-10 mM each. When phosphodiesterase is inhibited by theophylline the three amino acids considerably increase the cAMP content of islets. Thus an increase in cAMP content of the islets was observed with a concentration of amino acids which is efficient in stimulating the insulin and glucagon secretion.