Inhibition by halothane of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in isolated pieces of rat pancreas.

In isolated pieces of rat pancreas addition of 300 mg glucose/100 ml bathing medium resulted in a marked and significant increase in insulin secretion. This glucose-stimulated insulin secretion is reversibly inhibited by halothane in a concentration-dependent fashion (0.63, 1.25, and 1.88 MAC halothane produced depressions of 8.4, 18.9, and 37.0 per cent, respectively). Halothane, 1.88 MAC, had no effect on the basal or nonglucose-mediated insulin release.