Insulin-resistant states such as obesity can result in an increase in the function and mass of pancreatic β-cells, so that insulin secretion is up-regulated and Type II diabetes does not develop. However, expansion of β-cell mass is not indefinite and may well decrease with time. Changes in circulating concentrations of nutritional factors, such as fatty acids and/or glucose, may lead to a reduction in β-cell mass in vivo. Few previous studies have attempted to explore the interplay between glucose, amino acids and fatty acids with respect to β-cell mass and functional integrity. In the present study, we demonstrate that culture of clonal BRIN-BD11 cells for 24 h with the polyunsaturated fatty acid arachidonic acid (AA) increased β-cell proliferation and enhanced alanine-stimulated insulin secretion. These effects of AA were associated with significant decreases in the cellular consumption of D-glucose and L-alanine as well as decreased rates of production of nitric oxide and ammonia. Conversely 24 h exposure to the saturated fatty acid palmitic acid (PA) was found to decrease β-cell viability (by increasing apoptosis), increase the intracellular concentration of triacylglycerol (triglyceride), while inhibiting alanine-stimulated insulin secretion. These effects of PA were associated with significant increases in D-glucose and L-glutamine consumption as well as nitric oxide and ammonia production. However, L-alanine consumption was decreased in the presence of PA. The effects of AA, but not PA, were additionally dependent on glucose concentration. These studies indicate that AA may have a critical role in maintaining the appropriate mass and function of islet β-cells by influencing rates of cell proliferation and insulin secretion. This regulatory effect may be compromised by high circulating levels of glucose and/or PA, both of which are elevated in Type II diabetes and may impact upon dysfunctional and apoptotic intracellular events in the β-cell.
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Research Article|
February 01 2004
Arachidonic acid, palmitic acid and glucose are important for the modulation of clonal pancreatic β-cell insulin secretion, growth and functional integrity
Gordon DIXON;
Gordon DIXON
*Department of Biochemistry, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
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John NOLAN;
John NOLAN
†Department of Endocrinology, St. James's Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
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Neville H. McCLENAGHAN;
Neville H. McCLENAGHAN
‡School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine, N. Ireland, U.K.
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Peter R. FLATT;
Peter R. FLATT
‡School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine, N. Ireland, U.K.
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Philip NEWSHOLME
*Department of Biochemistry, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
Correspondence: Professor Philip Newsholme (e-mail philip.newsholme@ucd.ie).
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
August 05 2003
Revision Received:
September 29 2003
Accepted:
October 16 2003
Accepted Manuscript online:
October 16 2003
Online ISSN: 1470-8736
Print ISSN: 0143-5221
© 2004 The Biochemical Society
2004
Clin Sci (Lond) (2004) 106 (2): 191–199.
Article history
Received:
August 05 2003
Revision Received:
September 29 2003
Accepted:
October 16 2003
Accepted Manuscript online:
October 16 2003
Citation
Gordon DIXON, John NOLAN, Neville H. McCLENAGHAN, Peter R. FLATT, Philip NEWSHOLME; Arachidonic acid, palmitic acid and glucose are important for the modulation of clonal pancreatic β-cell insulin secretion, growth and functional integrity. Clin Sci (Lond) 1 February 2004; 106 (2): 191–199. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/CS20030261
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