Abstract:
Oscillatory secretion of insulin has been observed in many different experimental preparations. Here we examine a mathematical model for {\it in vitro} insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells in a flow-through reactor. The analysis shows that oscillations result because of an important interplay between flow rate of the reactor and insulin diffusion. In particular, if the ratio of flow rate to volume of the reaction bed is too large, oscillations are eliminated, in contradiction to the conclusions of Maki and Keizer (1995). Furthermore, with reasonable numbers for the experimental parameters and the diffusion of insulin, the model equations do not exhibit oscillations.
See a simulation movie of oscillatory insulin secretion in a flow through reactor.