Comparison of insulin secretion by the isolated perfused pancreas and perifused islets of the spiny mouse (Acomys cahirinus).

The dynamics of glucose-stimulated insulin release were studied in the perfused pancreas and in isolated perifused islets of spiny mice. The pattern of insulin release induced by an increase of the glucose concentration from 2.8 mM to 16.7 mM was different in the two preparations. In the perfused pancreas there was an early insulin release contrasting with an absence of the early response in isolated islets. The later insulin release response (5 min to 30 min) was present and similar in both preparations. The reduction of early phase insulin release may be due to a reduced glucose sensitivity in the beta cells of spiny mice, most apparent in isolated islets.