[The role of cyclic AMP in the control of insulin secretion (author's transl)].

D-glucose stimulates the accumulation of cyclic AMP in isolated islets of Langerhans in a dose-dependent manner. This effect is present as long as the sugar remains elevated in the incubate. Under present experimental conditions the stimulation of cyclic AMP precedes insulin release. Islet or medium cyclic AMP, and insulin secretion are closely correlated at various incubation times. We conclude that the beta-cell cyclic AMP system is one of the major mediators of the glucose signal to insulin secretion. Tolbutamide and glibenclamide have similar effects in the absence or with low concentrations of glucose. These results may indicate that these sulfonylurea derivates act at sites where glucose exerts its effect.