Prolactin and oleic acid synergistically stimulate β-cell proliferation and growth in rat islets.

ABSTRACT: Islet adaptation to pregnancy is largely influenced by prolactin and placental lactogens. In addition serum lipids are significantly increased. Here, we report the novel observation that prolactin and oleic acid synergistically stimulate islet cell proliferation and islet growth. In neonatal rat islets, prolactin increased proliferation 6-fold, oleic acid 3.5-fold, and their combination 15-fold. The expression of insulin in these dividing cells establishes them as β-cells. Similar changes were seen in islet growth. This synergy is restricted to monounsaturated fatty acids and does not occur with other islet growth factors. Oleic acid increases prolactin-induced STAT5 phosphorylation, even though by itself it is unable to induce STAT5 phosphorylation. Their effects on Erk1/2 phosphorylation

SUBMITTER: Brelje TC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5510617 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature