OBJECTIVE Regulation of insulin release by glucose involves dual pathways, including or not inhibition of ATP-sensitive K(+) channels (K(ATP) channels). Whereas the K(ATP) channel-dependent pathway produces pulsatile release of insulin it is not clear whether the independent pathway also generates such kinetics. METHODS To clarify this matter, insulin secretion and cytoplasmic Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)](i)) were studied in perifused pancreatic islets from ob/ob mice. Insulin release was measured by ELISA technique and [Ca(2+)](i) by dual-wavelength fluorometry. RESULTS Insulin secretion was pulsatile (0.2--0.3/min) at 3 mmol/l glucose when [Ca(2+)](i) was low and stable. Stimulation with 11 mmol/l of the sugar increased the amplitude of the insulin pulses with maintained frequency and induced oscillations in [Ca(2+)](i). Permanent opening of the K(ATP) channels with diazoxide inhibited glucose-stimulated insulin secretion back to basal levels with maintained pulsatility despite stable and basal [Ca(2+)](i) levels. Increase of the K(+) concentration to 30.9 mmol/l in the continued presence of diazoxide and 11 mmol/l glucose restored the secretory rate with maintained pulsatility and caused stable elevation in [Ca(2+)](i). Simultaneous introduction of diazoxide and elevation of K(+) augmented average insulin release almost 30-fold in 3 mmol/l glucose with maintained pulse frequency. Subsequent elevation of the glucose concentration to 11 and 20 mmol/l increased the release levels. After prolonged exposure to diazoxide, elevated K(+) and 20 mmol/l glucose, the pulse frequency decreased significantly. CONCLUSIONS Not only glucose signaling via the K(ATP) channel-dependent but also that via the independent pathway generates amplitude-modulated pulsatile release of insulin from isolated islets.