Novel proapoptotic effect of hepatocyte growth factor: synergy with palmitate to cause pancreatic {beta}-cell apoptosis.

ABSTRACT: Increasing evidence suggests that elevation of plasma fatty acids that often accompanies insulin resistance contributes to beta-cell insufficiency in obesity-related type 2 diabetes. Circulating levels of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) are increased in humans with metabolic syndrome and obesity. HGF is known to protect beta-cells against streptozotocin and during islet engraftment. However, whether HGF is a beta-cell prosurvival factor in situations of excessive lipid supply has not been deciphered. Mice overexpressing HGF in the beta-cell [rat insulin type II promoter (RIP)-HGF transgenic mice] fed with standard chow display improved glucose homeostasis and increased beta-cell mass and proliferation compared with normal littermates. However, after 15 wk of high-fat feeding, glucose homeos

SUBMITTER: Gonzalez-Pertusa JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2850223 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature