Activation of imidazoline receptor I 2 , and improved pancreatic β-cell function in human islets

Resveratrol (RES) and curcumin (CUR) are polyphenols that are found in fruits and turmeric, and possess medicinal properties that are beneficial in various diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Results from recent studies have indicated that their therapeutic properties can be attributed to their anti-inflammatory effects. Owing to reports stating that they protect against β-cell dysfunction, we studied their mechanism(s) of action in β-cells. In T2DM, cAMP plays a critical role in glucose- and incretin-stimulated insulin secretion as well as overall pancreatic β-cell health. A potential therapeutic target in the management of T2DM lies in regulating the activity of phosphodiesterases (PDEs), which degrade cAMP. Both RES and CUR have been reported to act as PDE inhibitors in various cell types, but it remains unknown if they do so in pancreatic β-cells. In our current study, we found that both RES (0.1–10 μmol/l) and CUR (1–100 pmol/l)-regulated insulin secretion under glucose-stimulated conditions. Additionally, treating β-cell lines and human islets with these polyphenols led to increased intracellular cAMP levels in a manner similar to 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, a classic PDE inhibitor. When we investigated the effects of RES and CUR on PDEs, we found that treatment significantly downregulated the mRNA expression of most of the 11 PDE isozymes, including PDE3B, PDE8A, and PDE10A, which have been linked previously to regulation of insulin secretion in islets. Furthermore, RES and CUR inhibited PDE activity in a dose-dependent manner in β-cell lines and human islets. Collectively, we demonstrate a novel role for natural-occurring polyphenols as PDE inhibitors that enhance pancreatic β-cell function.

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Genistein Induces Pancreatic β-Cell Proliferation through Activation of Multiple Signaling Pathways and Prevents Insulin-Deficient Diabetes in Mice

Endocrinology ◽

10.1210/en.2009-1294 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 151 (7) ◽

pp. 3026-3037 ◽

Cited By ~ 124

Author(s):

Zhuo Fu ◽

Wen Zhang ◽

Wei Zhen ◽

Hazel Lum ◽

Jerry Nadler ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Proliferation ◽

Cell Function ◽

Herbal Medicines ◽

Human Islets ◽

Pancreatic Β Cell ◽

Diabetic Mice ◽

Β Cell ◽

Β Cell Function ◽

17Β Estradiol ◽

Multiple Signaling

Genistein, a flavonoid in legumes and some herbal medicines, has various biological actions. However, studies on whether genistein has an effect on pancreatic β-cell function are very limited. In the present study, we investigated the effect of genistein on β-cell proliferation and cellular signaling related to this effect and further determined its antidiabetic potential in insulin-deficient diabetic mice. Genistein induced both INS1 and human islet β-cell proliferation after 24 h of incubation, with 5 μm genistein inducing a maximal 27% increase. The effect of genistein on β-cell proliferation was neither dependent on estrogen receptors nor shared by 17β-estradiol or a host of structurally related flavonoid compounds. Pharmacological or molecular intervention of protein kinase A (PKA) or ERK1/2 completely abolished genistein-stimulated β-cell proliferation, suggesting that both molecules are essential for genistein action. Consistent with its effect on cell proliferation, genistein induced cAMP/PKA signaling and subsequent phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in both INS1 cells and human islets. Furthermore, genistein induced protein expression of cyclin D1, a major cell-cycle regulator essential for β-cell growth. Dietary intake of genistein significantly improved hyperglycemia, glucose tolerance, and blood insulin levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice, concomitant with improved islet β-cell proliferation, survival, and mass. These results demonstrate that genistein may be a natural antidiabetic agent by directly modulating pancreatic β-cell function via activation of the cAMP/PKA-dependent ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

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Cyclin C stimulates β-cell proliferation in rat and human pancreatic β-cells

AJP Endocrinology and Metabolism ◽

10.1152/ajpendo.00260.2014 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 308 (6) ◽

pp. E450-E459 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Margarita Jiménez-Palomares ◽

José Francisco López-Acosta ◽

Pablo Villa-Pérez ◽

José Luis Moreno-Amador ◽

Jennifer Muñoz-Barrera ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Proliferation ◽

Cell Death ◽

Cell Function ◽

Cell Mass ◽

Human Islets ◽

Brdu Incorporation ◽

Pancreatic Β Cell ◽

Β Cell ◽

Cyclin C ◽

Β Cell Function

Activation of pancreatic β-cell proliferation has been proposed as an approach to replace reduced functional β-cell mass in diabetes. Quiescent fibroblasts exit from G0 (quiescence) to G1 through pRb phosphorylation mediated by cyclin C/cdk3 complexes. Overexpression of cyclin D1, D2, D3, or cyclin E induces pancreatic β-cell proliferation. We hypothesized that cyclin C overexpression would induce β-cell proliferation through G0 exit, thus being a potential therapeutic target to recover functional β-cell mass. We used isolated rat and human islets transduced with adenovirus expressing cyclin C. We measured multiple markers of proliferation: [3H]thymidine incorporation, BrdU incorporation and staining, and Ki67 staining. Furthermore, we detected β-cell death by TUNEL, β-cell differentiation by RT-PCR, and β-cell function by glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Interestingly, we have found that cyclin C increases rat and human β-cell proliferation. This augmented proliferation did not induce β-cell death, dedifferentiation, or dysfunction in rat or human islets. Our results indicate that cyclin C is a potential target for inducing β-cell regeneration.

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Adipokines as key players in β cell function and failure

Clinical Science ◽

10.1042/cs20190523 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 133 (22) ◽

pp. 2317-2327 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Nicolás Gómez-Banoy ◽

James C. Lo

Keyword(s):

Metabolic Diseases ◽

Cell Function ◽

Whole Body ◽

Pancreatic Β Cell ◽

Β Cell ◽

Cell Axis ◽

Β Cell Function ◽

Prevalence Of Obesity ◽

Specific Factors ◽

Whole Body Metabolism

Abstract The growing prevalence of obesity and its related metabolic diseases, mainly Type 2 diabetes (T2D), has increased the interest in adipose tissue (AT) and its role as a principal metabolic orchestrator. Two decades of research have now shown that ATs act as an endocrine organ, secreting soluble factors termed adipocytokines or adipokines. These adipokines play crucial roles in whole-body metabolism with different mechanisms of action largely dependent on the tissue or cell type they are acting on. The pancreatic β cell, a key regulator of glucose metabolism due to its ability to produce and secrete insulin, has been identified as a target for several adipokines. This review will focus on how adipokines affect pancreatic β cell function and their impact on pancreatic β cell survival in disease contexts such as diabetes. Initially, the “classic” adipokines will be discussed, followed by novel secreted adipocyte-specific factors that show therapeutic promise in regulating the adipose–pancreatic β cell axis.

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