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Loss-of-Function Mutation of the Galanin Gene Is Associated with Perturbed Islet Function in Mice

Departments of Medicine (B.A.) and Physiological Sciences (N.W., F.S.), Lund University, SE-221 84 Lund, Sweden; Metabolic Unit, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Research Council (G.P.), 35127 Padova, Italy; and Department of Medicine (D.W.), Bristol University, Bristol BS2 8HW, United Kingdom

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Dr. Bo Ahrén, Department of Medicine, Lund University, B11 Biomedical Centre, SE-221 84 Lund, Sweden. E-mail: Bo.Ahren{at}med.lu.se.

The neuropeptide galanin is expressed in sympathetic nerve terminals that surround islet cells and inhibits insulin secretion. To explore its role for islet function, we studied mice with a loss-of-function mutation in the galanin gene [galanin knockout (KO) mice]. Intravenous 2-deoxy-glucose, which activates both the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system, caused an initial (1–5 min) inhibition of insulin secretion that was impaired in galanin KO mice (P = 0.027), followed by a subsequent stimulation of insulin secretion that was augmented in galanin KO mice (P < 0.01). Similar effects were seen after chemical sympathectomy by 6-hydroxydopamine. In contrast, galanin KO mice had a reduced insulin response to glucose, both in vivo (P < 0.001) and in isolated islets (P < 0.001), and to arginine, both in vivo (P = 0.012) and in vitro (P = 0.018). During an iv glucose tolerance test, galanin KO mice had impaired glucose disposal (P = 0.005) due to a reduced insulin response (P < 0.001) and a reduced insulin-independent glucose elimination (glucose effectiveness; P = 0.040). Insulin sensitivity, as judged by a euglycemic, hyperinsulinemic clamp technique, was slightly increased in galanin KO mice (P = 0.032). We conclude that 1) galanin may contribute to sympathetic influences inhibiting insulin secretion in mice, and 2) galanin KO mice have a reduced glucose-induced insulin secretion.

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