This study aimed to investigate the effects of
perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) exposure on
glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) of rat
insulinoma (INS-1) cells and the potential protective effects of
procyanidins (PC). The effects of PFOS and/or PC on GSIS of INS-1 cells were investigated after 48 h of exposure (
protein level:
insulin; gene level:
glucose transporter 2 (Glut2),
glucokinase (Gck), and
insulin). Subsequently, the effects of exposure on the intracellular
reactive oxygen species (ROS) activity were measured. Compared to the control group, PFOS exposure (12.5, 25, and 50 μM) for 48 h had no significant effect on the viability of INS-1 cells. PFOS exposure (50 μM) could reduce the level of insulin secretion and reduce the relative
mRNA expression levels of Glut2, Gck, and
insulin. It is worth noting that PC could partially reverse the damaging effect caused by PFOS. Significantly, there was an increase in ROS after exposure to PFOS and a decline after PC intervention. PFOS could affect the normal physiological function of GSIS in INS-1 cells. PC, a plant
natural product, could effectively alleviate the damage caused by PFOS by inhibiting ROS activity.