Defective calcium handling and insulin release in islets from diabetic Chinese hamsters.

In pancreatic islets from normal Chinese hamsters preloaded with 45Ca2+, glucose-induced biphasic insulin release was associated with increased 45Ca2+ efflux; islets from diabetic hamsters showed decreased insulin release and no increase in 45Ca2+ efflux. The lack of stimulated 45Ca2+ efflux persisted even when glucose-induced insulin release was potentiated by 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine. Since glucose-stimulated 45Ca2+ uptake by diabetic islets was not impaired, a defect in intracellular Ca2+ handling may be involved in the defective insulin release of the diabetic Chinese hamster.