Reactive oxygen species are produced at low glucose and contribute to the activation of AMPK in insulin-secreting cells

► Low but not high glucose generated superoxide in the pancreatic beta cell line INS1. ► The effect of low glucose was rapid and reversible. ► Low glucose-induced superoxide production localized at complex 1. ► Low glucose also induced AMPK activation. ► AMPK activation was ROS-dependent and AMP, LKB1 and CaMKK independent.