Abscisic acid stimulates the release of insulin and of GLP‐1 in the rat perfused pancreas and intestine

Abstract Aims Previous results indicate that nanomolar concentrations of abscisic acid (ABA) stimulate insulin release from β‐pancreatic cells in vitro and that oral ABA at 50 mg/kg increases plasma GLP‐1 in the fasted rat. The aim of this study was to test the effect of ABA on the perfused rat pancreas and intestine, to verify the insulin‐ and incretin‐releasing actions of ABA in controlled physiological models. Materials and methods Rat pancreas and small intestine were perfused with solutions containing ABA at high‐micromolar concentrations, or control secretagogues. Insulin and GLP‐1 concentrations in the venous effluent were analysed by radioimmunoassay, and ABA levels were determined by ELISA. Results High micromolar concentrations of ABA induced GLP‐1 secretion from the proximal half of the small intestine and insulin secretion from pancreas. GLP‐1 stimulated ABA secretion from pancreas in a biphasic manner. Notably, a positive correlation was found between the ABA area under the curve (AUC) and the insulin AUC upon GLP‐1 administration. Conclusion Our results indicate the existence of a cross talk between GLP‐1 and ABA, whereby ABA stimulates GLP‐1 secretion, and vice versa. Release of ABA could be considered as a new promising molecule in the strategy of type 2 diabetes treatment and as a new endogenous hormone in the regulation of glycaemia.