Amylin tonally regulates arginine-stimulated insulin secretion in rats.

To assess the effect of naturally-present amylin in the control of insulin release we infused a novel amylin antagonist, its 8-37 fragment, or amylin in anaesthetized rats for 60 min, and 30 min after the start arginine was infused for 14 min. Amylin8-37 decreased the blood glucose concentration by 18% whereas the plasma insulin concentration was 90% higher following arginine treatment. In contrast amylin infusion raised both glucose and insulin concentrations. These results suggest that while amylin added at high dose can induce peripheral insulin resistance, naturally present amylin tonally controls insulin secretion.