Effect of Verapamil on pancreatic glucagon release from the isolated, perfused canine pancreas.

The effect of Verapamil, a potent calcium antagonist, upon pancreatic glucagon release was investigated in the isolated, perfused canine pancreas. Verapamil at concentrations ranging between 10(-5)-10(-4) mol/l caused a dose-related inhibition of glucagon release at a glucose concentration of 25 mg/dl. The inhibition was an immediate and reversible phenomenon. The inhibitory effect was reduced when the Ca2+ concentration was increased from 1.3 to 5.0 mmol/l. The results are compatible with earlier findings from our laboratory demonstrating that calcium plays a key role in the stimulus-secretion coupling of glucagon release.