Estrogen increases Glucose-Induced Insulin Secretion from Mouse Pancreatic Islets cultured in a Prolonged High Glucose Condition
Suwattanee Kooptiwut MD, PhD*, Namoiy Semprasert BSc*, Supornpim Chearskul MD, MSc*
Affiliation : * Division of Endocrinology, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University
Background : It is known that males are more susceptible to develop type 2 diabetes than females. Estrogen
has a protective effect on pancreatic islet against toxic agent such as amyloid. The role of estrogen in protec-
tion pancreatic islet against high glucose is still unknown.
Objective : Administration of estrogen in an ovariectomised animal shows a protective effect against type 2
diabetes. The present study aimed to determine the direct effect of estrogen on the islet function after pro-
longed culture in high glucose.
Materials and Methods : Estrogen (10-5 M in ethanol) was co-cultured with mouse pancreatic islets in normal
glucose medium (11.1 mM) for 3 hours or with normal and high glucose medium (40 mM) for 10 days.
Results : Estrogen increased glucose-induced insulin secretion in islet culture in normal glucose medium for
both 3-hour and 10-day culture. Prolonged exposure of pancreatic islet to high glucose generated impaired
glucose-induced insulin secretion, which was partially abrogated by the presence of 10-5 M estrogen.
Conclusion : These results indicated a direct effect of estrogen on improving insulin secretion from mouse
pancreatic islets that has been impaired by prolonged exposure to high glucose.
Keywords : Insulin secretion, High glucose culture, Estrogen, Mouse pancreatic islet, In vitro study
