Effects of prednisolone and dexamethasone on (pro)insulin biosynthesis and insulin release by rat islets of Langerhans.

ABSTRACT

Administration of either prednisolone or dexamethasone (10 mg/kg body wt/day/oral) to rats for 21 days resulted in inhibition of (pro)insulin biosynthesis and immunoreactive insulin release by isolated islets. A gradual reversal of prednisolone's effect was obtained after exposing islets to increasing glucose concentrations but glucose challenges failed to influence dexamethasone's effect.