Effects of inhibition of phosphodiesterase 3B in pancreatic islets on insulin secretion: a potential link with some stimulatory pathways.

Objective: Elevated intracellular cAMP concentrations potentiate insulin secretion from pancreatic β cells. Phosphodiesterase 3B (PDE3B) is highly expressed in these cells and plays a role in the regulation of insulin secretion.
Materials and Methods: In this study, effects of amrinone, an inhibitor of PDE3B on insulin release from isolated pancreatic islets, were determined.
Results: Exposure of islets to amrinone for 15, 30 and 90 min markedly increased secretion induced by 6.7 mM glucose. Amrinone enhanced also secretion stimulated by 6.7 mM glucose and DB-cAMP, an activator of PKA. It was also demonstrated that amrinone potentiated insulin secretion induced by 6.7 mM glucose in the combination with PMA (activator of PKC) or acetylcholine. However, the insulin-secretory response to glucose and glibenclamide was unchanged by amrinone.
Conclusions: These results indicate that amrinone is capable of increasing insulin secretion; however, its action is restricted.