is consistent with
the hypothesis of a selective toxicity turned towards
the B-cells. In vitro incubation of islets with pentamidine
10~10 M produced a passive release of insulin,
followed by a significant decrease in B-cell response
to glucose + theophylline. It is suggested that pentamidine
can induce hypoglycemia because of an early
cytolytic release of insulin, and then diabetes mellitus
because of B-cell destruction and insulin deficiency.
DIABETES 31:40-45, January 1982.