Objective: To investigate the influences of gestational hyperglycemia on the function of fetal rat pancreatic islets.
Methods: Twenty-eight pregnant SD rats were randomly allocated into two groups. The study group was continually infused with 30% glucose at the rate of 2 ml/min, while the controls with sterilized distilled water in the same time and at the same rate. The infusion began on day 16.5 post-coitus and lasted for 5 days until the removal of the fetuses. The functions of the beta-cells in fetal rat islets were studied by determining the content of insulin, using the tests of extracting, releasing and perfusing.
Results: The data showed that the insulin content of study group (3,329.81 +/- 163.39) ng was significantly higher than that of controls (2,390.04 +/- 151.39) ng (P < 0.05); After 2 hours' incubation in Hanks solution which contained different concentration of glucose, increased insulin secretion was found in the study group (P < 0.05); When the islets were perfused, the insulin peak value of study group was higher and appeared earlier than that of controls.
Conclusion: Insulin synthesis and secretion function of beta-cells of fetal pancreas from hyperglycemia rats were enhanced and the pancreas had a hypersensitive response to glucose challenge.