The hormone responsible for stimulating cells to convert glucose to energy is pancreatic beta cells, that store and release insulin.
The number of beta cells in the pancreas increases in response to greater demand for insulin or injury, but it is not clear if the new beta cells are the result of cell division or the differentiation of a precursor cell, a process known as neogenesis. Knowledge of how beta cells are created and maintained is critical to understanding diseases in which these cells are lost, such as diabetes.
Insulin-boosting Hormone Brings Great News for Diabetes Patients
A recently discovered hormone - betatrophin- may just bring about a sea change in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes
Advertisement
In this issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation, George Gittes and colleagues at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh used a fluorescent cell labeling method in mice to determine exactly when precursor cells develop into pancreatic beta cells. They observed neogenesis during embryonic development, but did not find any evidence of neogenesis in adult mice.
These data demonstrate that beta cell neogenesis is not possible in adult mice. In a companion commentary, Michael German at the University of California, San Francisco, discusses the experiments that will be required to determine if these findings also apply to humans.
Source: Eurekalert
Source: Eurekalert
Brazil to Invest $215 Million to Resume Production of Insulin
Brazil's Health Minister Alexandre Padilha revealed that his country will resume production of insulin on a large scale.
Advertisement
In Type 1 Diabetes High-fat Meals can Affect Glucose Levels and Insulin RequirementsDietary fat can affect glucose levels and insulin requirements finds Joslin researchers studying patients with type 1 diabetes. | Advertisement
|
RNA Molecule may Play a Key Role in Causing Insulin Resistance
A tiny cluster of RNA molecules may have a major role to play in causing insulin resistance in women suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome, and perhaps in all women, studies suggest
Advertisement
