Dual effect of 2-deoxy-D-glucose tetraacetate upon glucose-induced insulin release.

The effect of 2-deoxy-D-glucose tetraacetate upon glucose-stimulated insulin release was explored in pancreatic islets from either normal or hereditary diabetic rats. At a high concentration (10 mM), it decreased the secretory response to D-glucose, such an inhibitory effect being more marked in the case of the alpha- than beta-anomer of the ester. At lower concentrations (0.19 to 1.7 mM), however, 2-deoxy-D-glucose tetraacetate augmented insulin secretion evoked by 8.3 mM D-glucose, with again a preference for the alpha-anomer of the ester. In relative terms, such an enhancing action was more marked in Goto-Kakizaki than normal rats. Hence, it is proposed that selected esters of non-nutrient carbohydrates could be used as insulinotropic tools in the treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.