Acute effects of nutrient stimuli on pancreatic beta-cell function are widely reported; however, the chronic effects of insulinotropic
amino acids, such as
L-alanine, on pancreatic beta-cell function and integrity are unknown. In the present study, the effects of prolonged exposure (24 h) to the
amino acid L-alanine on
insulin secretory function, gene expression and pro-inflammatory
cytokine-induced apoptosis were studied using clonal BRIN-BD11 cells. Expression profiling of BRIN-BD11 cells chronically exposed to
L-alanine was performed using
oligonucleotide microarray analysis. The effect of
alanine, the iNOS (
inducible nitric oxide synthase) inhibitor NMA (N(G)-methyl-
L-arginine acetate) or the iNOS and
NADPH oxidase inhibitor DPI (
diphenylene iodonium) on apoptosis induced by a pro-inflammatory
cytokine mix [IL-1beta (interleukin-1beta),
TNF-alpha (tumour
necrosis factor-alpha) and IFN-
gamma (interferon-gamma)] was additionally assessed by flow cytometry. Culture for 24 h with 10 mM
L-alanine resulted in desensitization to the subsequent acute
insulin stimulatory effects of
L-alanine. This was accompanied by substantial changes in gene expression of BRIN-BD11 cells. Sixty-six genes were up-regulated >1.8-fold, including many involved in cellular signalling, metabolism, gene regulation,
protein synthesis, apoptosis and the cellular stress response. Subsequent functional experiments confirmed that
L-alanine provided protection of BRIN-BD11 cells from pro-inflammatory
cytokine-induced apoptosis. Protection from apoptosis was mimicked by NMA or DPI suggesting
L-alanine enhances intracellular
antioxidant generation. These observations indicate important long-term effects of
L-alanine in regulating gene expression, secretory function and the integrity of insulin-secreting cells. Specific
amino acids may therefore play a key role in beta-cell function in vivo.