Abstract
1. Responses of the membrane electrical characteristics of mouse pancreatic islet cells to ionic environmental changes have been used to assess the role of [Na]0 and [K]0 in the control of membrane potential, i.e. by electrodiffusion or via an electrogenic sodium pump. Islet cell electrical properties were measured in vitro with intracellular glass micro-electrodes. 2. Substitution of LiCl for extracellular NaCl did not change the islet cell membrane potential significantly in low (2.8 mM) glucose solutions, but readmission of NaCl caused a transient hyperpolarization (membrane potential maximum: -70 mV) in high glucose; when choline chloride was substituted for NaCl no hyperpolarization was observed on NaCl re-admission. 3. Superfusion with K-free solution gave no marked change in membrane potential during 30 min incubation in either low (2-8 mM) or high (28 mM) glucose concentrations but longer periods of exposure to K-free solutions caused progressive depolarization. 4. Readmission of K+ induced a transient hyperpolarization of up to 30 mV magnitude and 10 min duration in the presence of high (28 mM) but not low glucose (2-8 mM) concentrations. At the level of maximum hyperpolarization the membrane potential reached -60 mV, the electrical activity induced by the high glucose concentration being concurrently completely blocked. Replacement of [Cl]0 by isethionate accentuated these effects. 5. Ouabain, 10(-3) M, or a decrease in temperature from 37 to 7 degrees C depolarized the islet cells and blocked the transient hyperpolarization induced by readmission of K+. 6. Diphenylhydantoin, 1-5 times 10(-4) M, caused a significant hyperpolarization of the islet cells in low glucose (2-8 mM) and inhibited the electrical activity induced by high glucose (28 mM) or tolbutamide (0-7 mM). 7. It is concluded from these results that both an electrogenic and ionic component contribute to the membrane potential of the mouse pancreatic islet cell although electrodiffusional control normally predominates; acceleration of the Na-K exchange pump by diphenylhydantoin inhibits glucose-induced electrical activity. These findings are discussed in relation to the permeability characteristics of the islet cell membrane and the mechanism of insulin release.