Profile of Insulin Release Due to Intrapancreatic Glyburide Infusion

Intrapancreatic glyburide infusion in dogs (0.02 mg. per kg. of body weight) for five minutes provoked immediate, marked insulin release into the portal venous blood. Compared to control animals, the normal intrinsic insulin levels were exaggerated at intervals of approximately eighty minutes. Lack of immediate hypoglycemia suggests that the insulin release is merely secondary in contributing to the anti-diabetic property of this agent. An amount of tolbutamide fifty times as great caused a weak, delayed insulin response. The delayed blood glucose response is probably caused by the combined action of glyburide and circulating insulin.