The coupling of metabolic to secretory events in pancreatic islets. The cytosolic redox state

NADP-linked isocitrate dehydrogenase and malic enzyme [malate dehydrogenase (decarboxylating) (NADP)] activities were characterized in the cytosol of pancreatic islet cells. D-Glucose and L-leucine augmented the cytosolic NADPH/NADP+ ratio, as judged from the isocitrate/2-oxoglutarate and malate/pyruvate islet contents. The flow rate through the malic enzyme was judged from the output of labelled pyruvate by islets exposed to either L-[U-14C]glutamine or L-[U-14C]leucine. The cytosolic generation of NADPH, e.g. at the level of the malic enzyme, may play a role in the coupling of metabolic to secretory events in the process of nutrient-stimulated insulin release.