Is the glucose-induced phosphate flush in pancreatic islets attributable to gating of volume-sensitive anion channels?

D-glucose and other nutrient insulin secretagogues have long been known to induce a transient increase in inorganic phosphate release from pancreatic islets, a phenomenon currently referred to as a "phosphate flush". The objective of this study was to explore the possible participation of volume-sensitive anion channels in such a process. Rat pancreatic islets were preincubated for 60 min in the presence of [32P]orthophosphate and then perifused for 90 min to measure 32P fractional outflow rate and insulin secretion. From minutes 46 to 70 inclusive either the concentration of D-glucose was increased from 1.1 to 8.3 mmol L-1 or the extracellular osmolarity was decreased by reducing the NaCl concentration by 50 mmol L-1. The increase in D-glucose concentration induced a typical phosphate flush and biphasic stimulation of insulin release. Extracellular hypoosmolarity caused a monophasic increase in both effluent radioactivity and insulin output. The inhibitor of volume-sensitive anion channels 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)benzoate (0.1 mmol L-1) inhibited both stimulation of insulin release and phosphate flush induced by either the increase in D-glucose concentration or extracellular hypoosmolarity. It is proposed that gating of volume-sensitive anion channels accounts for the occurrence of the phosphate flush and subsequent stimulation of insulin secretion in response to either an increase in D-glucose concentration or a decrease in extracellular osmolarity.