Glycogen phosphorylase inhibition improves beta cell function.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Glycogen phosphorylase (GP) is the key enzyme for glycogen degradation. GP inhibitors (GPi-s) are glucose lowering agents that cause the accumulation of glucose in the liver as glycogen. Glycogen metabolism has implications in beta cell function. Glycogen degradation can maintain cellular glucose levels, which feeds into catabolism to maintain insulin secretion, and elevated glycogen degradation levels contribute to glucotoxicity. The purpose of this study was to assess whether influencing glycogen metabolism in beta cells by GPi-s affects the function of these cells.

Experimental approach

The effects of structurally different GPi-s were investigated on MIN6 insulinoma cells and in a mouse model of diabetes.

Key results

GPi treatment increased g

SUBMITTER: Nagy L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5758390 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature