Effects of amiloride on insulin release, serum glucose and insulin, and glucose tolerance of mice.

Release of insulin was increased when isolated mouse islets were exposed to 1 or 2 mM amiloride, both in the presence of low (3 mM) and high (20 mM) glucose concentration. Fed mice injected with amiloride developed a hypoglycemia at 1, 2 and 4 h, and a hyperglycemia at 36 h, whereas no significant blood glucose alterations were observed in starved mice treated with amiloride. The serum insulin concentration was significantly increased 1 and 36 h following amiloride injection. Amiloride is believed to affect the islet beta-cells directly or indirectly, leading to ionic alterations, and stimulated insulin release.