The Effect of Cyclosporin A on Rat Pancreatic B-Cell: Interaction with the Calcium-Antagonist Diltiazem

: Cyclosporin A (CyA) was fed to male Wistar rats in a dose of 5, 10 or 50 mg/kg b.wt. for 7 days. In another experimental procedure 10 mg/kg b.wt. CyA was given for 7 days combined with Diltiazem (DIL) 6.25 mg/kg b.wt. once daily ip. Glucose stimulated insulin secretion from the isolated perfused pancreas was investigated in these animals. Total insulin secretion (ng/50 min) was not affected after feeding 5 mg/kg b.wt. CyA, but was significantly decreased with 10 and 50 mg/kg b.wt. CyA. The biphasic insulin secretion was reduced after 5 mg/kg b.wt. CyA during the initial peak (0-10 min) but not during the second peak (10-50 min), whereas after 10 and 50 mg/kg b.wt. CyA both peaks nearly reached base-line levels. DIL markedly increased the initial peak (0-10 min) after feeding CyA 10 mg/kg b.wt., whereas the second peak was not affected. Our results demonstrate a toxic effect of CyA on the pancreatic B-cell, which might be partly abolished by calcium-antagonists.