5-hydroxytryptamine stimulates 86Rb+ efflux from pancreatic beta-cells.

The effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine and 5-hydroxytryptophan on 86Rb+ efflux from prelabelled ob/ob-mouse islets were studied to better understand the cellular mechanisms underlying the effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine and 5-hydroxytryptophan on insulin release. 5-Hydroxytryptophan (4 mM) had no effect on 86Rb+ efflux either at a low (3mM) or at a high (20 mM) D-glucose concentration, whereas 5-hydroxytryptamine (4 mM) stimulated 86Rb+ efflux at both glucose concentrations. These results indicate that 5-hydroxytryptamine may reduce glucose-induced insulin release by inhibiting early steps in the beta-cell stimulus-secretion coupling.