Low glibenclamide concentrations affect endoplasmic reticulum stress in INS-1 cells under glucotoxic or glucolipotoxic conditions

β-Cell apoptosis caused by increased endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is an important pathogenic component of type 2 diabetes mellitus. In theory, sulfonylureas, used for the treatment of diabetes, can contribute to ER stress. We assessed changes in ER stress in pancreatic β-cells under glucotoxic or glucolipotoxic conditions using low concentrations of the sulfonylurea, glibenclamide (GB). Low concentrations of GB (10 or 100 nM) were added to INS-1 cells cultured under glucotoxic or glucolipotoxic conditions. The degree of viability, level of apoptosis and levels of markers associated with ER stress were measured. Apoptosis decreased in response to low concentrations of GB under glucolipotoxic but not glucotoxic conditions. Most ER stress markers decreased upon the addition of GB. Under glucotoxic conditions, changes in the levels of ER stress markers were not consistent. However, all decreased significantly under glucolipotoxic conditions. Low concentrations of GB exerted antiapoptotic effects through the attenuation of ER stress under glucolipotoxic conditions.