Different effects of glibenclamide and the structural analogue HB 699 on the 45Ca2+ uptake by ob/ob-mouse islets.

The effects on 45Ca2+ uptake of HB 699, an acyl-amino-alkyl benzoic acid derivative, was compared to those of glibenclamide in incubations using the La3+ wash technique. HB 699 enhanced the 45Ca2+ net uptake in a concentration range (10-200 microM) where insulin release was also stimulated. Glibenclamide showed maximum stimulation of 45Ca2+ net uptake already at 1 microM. HB 699 did not clearly stimulate the short-term 45Ca2+ uptake whether or not the islets were preincubated with the drug. It is suggested that HB 699-induced insulin release is mediated, at least partly, by increased mobility of beta-cell Ca2+.