Glucolipotoxicity age-dependently impairs beta cell function in rats despite a marked increase in beta cell mass.

ABSTRACT:

Aims/hypothesis

Prolonged exposure of pancreatic beta cells to excessive levels of glucose and fatty acids, referred to as glucolipotoxicity, is postulated to contribute to impaired glucose homeostasis in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, the relative contribution of defective beta cell function vs diminished beta cell mass under glucolipotoxic conditions in vivo remains a subject of debate. We therefore sought to determine whether glucolipotoxicity in rats is due to impaired beta cell function and/or reduced beta cell mass, and whether older animals are more susceptible to glucolipotoxic condition.

Methods

Wistar rats (2 and 6 months old) received a 72 h infusion of glucose + intravenous fat emulsion or saline control. In vivo insulin secretion and sensitivity were as

SUBMITTER: Fontes G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2947580 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature