Bupropion Can Close K-Atp Channel and Induce Insulin Secretion

Recently, a case of newborn infant with transient hyperinsulinism has been reported. This infant was reported to be free from typical perinatal risk factors of hyperinsulinism except for the fact that the mother of the baby was receiving the antidepressant bupropion during her pregnancy. However, the mother did not experience hyperinsulinism and, so far, there are no reports about the pharmacological mechanism of bupropion causing hyperinsulinemia. In this study, bupropion was shown to inhibit KATP channel activity in pancreatic β-cell membranes and induce insulin secretion in relatively high concentration. This study shows, for the first time, that bupropion has a direct electrophysiological action on pancreatic β-cells and can cause insulin secretion and also highlights the risk of using bupropion during pregnancy.