Unaltered oxygen tension in rat pancreatic islets despite dissociation of insulin release and islet blood flow

The present study investigated the importance of a tightly regulated islet blood flow for an optimal oxygenation of the islet tissue during different demands for insulin release. Glucose and/or a nonspecific nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (L-NNA) were infused intravenously in non-pretreated or vagotomized rats and the animals were subjected to measurements of islet blood flow, oxygen tension and serum insulin concentrations. Islet blood flow was measured using a non-radioactive microsphere technique, tissue oxygen tension was recorded with Clark microelectrodes and insulin concentrations were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. Administration of L-NNA (0.3 mg kg(-1) min(-1)) for 10 min halved basal islet blood flow, but did not affect serum insulin concentrations. Glucose administration (10 mg kg) 1 min(-1)) induced a marked increase in islet blood flow, which could be prevented by vagotomy or L-NNA. The serum insulin concentrations increased in all glucose-infused animals. The islet tissue oxygen tension remained similar in all animals despite these interventions. Reasons other than oxygenation of the islet tissue must explain the normally existing tight regulation of islet blood flow.