Proinsulin C peptide obviates sympathetically mediated suppression of splenic lymphocyte, activity in rats

S. Okamoto, K. Kimura, T. Kitamura, X. Cañas, T. Yoshida, M. Saito

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

Aims/hypothesis. To investigate whether proinsulin C peptide influences sympathetic nerve activity directly or indirectly through parasympathetic nerve activity. Methods. The proliferative response of splenic lymphocytes to Concanavalin A (ConA response) which is known to be suppressed by subjection of rats to footshock or intracerebroventricular injection of corticotropin-releasing factor through sympathetic nerve activation was measured. Effect of C peptide alone or before subjection to footshock or injection of corticotropin-releasing factor was examined. Results. Intraperitoneal injection of C peptide was without effect on the basal ConA response, while subjection to footshock or injection of corticotropin-releasing factor lowered it. In contrast, prior injection of C peptide obviated the footshock and corticotropin-releasing factor-induced suppression of the response. When given intracerebroventricularly, C peptide was also effective at much smaller doses. Prior injection of atropine cancelled the C-peptide effects. Conclusion/interpretation. Our results indicate that C peptide counteracts the sympathetic nerve-mediated suppression of splenic lymphocyte proliferation in an atropine-sensitive manner. Thus, C peptide probably activates the parasympathetic nervous system through the afferent mechanism, that in turn antagonizes the sympathetic nerve-mediated suppression of splenic lymphocyte functions.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1512-1517
Number of pages6
JournalDiabetologia
Volume43
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2000

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • Atropine
  • C peptide
  • CRF
  • Footshock
  • Parasympathetic nerve
  • Sympathetic nerve

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Proinsulin C peptide obviates sympathetically mediated suppression of splenic lymphocyte, activity in rats'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this