A low-oxygenated subpopulation of pancreatic islets constitutes a functional reserve of endocrine cells.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

The blood perfusion of pancreatic islets is highly variable and tightly regulated by the blood glucose concentration. Thus, oxygen levels are considered crucial for islet metabolism and function. Although islet oxygenation has been extensively studied in vitro, little is known about it in vivo. The current study aimed to investigate the oxygenation of the endocrine pancreas in vivo.

Research design and methods

The reductive metabolism of 2-nitroimidazoles, such as pimonidazole, has previously been extensively used in studies of oxygen metabolism both in vitro and in vivo. At tissue oxygen levels <10 mmHg, pimonidazole accumulates intracellularly and may thereafter be detected by means of immunohistochemistry. Islet oxygenation was investigated in normal, 60% partia

SUBMITTER: Olsson R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3142080 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature