Scientists Discover a New Pancreas Function that Destroys Beta Cells
One of the problems in diabetes is that beta cells, the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, die. As a result, none or not enough insulin is produced and high levels of glucose stay in the blood vessels.
Factors such as high glucose, the buildup of a protein called amyloid, and free fatty acids, all contribute to the destruction of beta cells. Now a new way has been discovered.
“Our study shows that neighboring cells called alpha cells can behave like adversaries for beta cells. This was an unexpected finding,” said Franco Folli, M.D., Ph.D., professor of medicine/diabetes at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Doctor Folli is co-lead author on the study with Carla Perego, Ph.D., assistant professor of physiology at the University of Milan.
Balance of alpha and beta cells is needed to keep glucose under control
Alpha and beta cells are found in the islets of Langerhans. Alpha cells make glucagon, the hormone that raises blood sugar during fasting. In the same area, the beta cells make insulin, the hormone that lowers sugars after a meal. When there is an imbalance of these two types of cells, it results in diabetes.
“We found that glutamate, a major signaling molecule in the brain and pancreas is secreted together with glucagon by alpha cells and affects beta cell integrity,” Dr. Folli said. “In a situation where there is an imbalance toward more alpha cells and fewer beta cells, as in Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, this could result in further beta cell destruction.”
The role of alpha cells in the pancreas
How an excess of glutamate affects the destruction of beta cells was not previously known, Drs. Perego and Folli said. It has not been typically thought that alpha cells could themselves be a cause of beta cell damage, they said.
The study also found a protection for beta cells, namely, a protein called GLT1 that controls glutamate levels outside the beta cells. “GLT1 is like a thermostat controlling the microenvironment of beta cells with respect to glutamate concentration,” Dr. Perego said.
Early warning of beta cells destruction
The authors of the study have developed a test to diagnosis the excess of glutamate produced by the alpha cells in the islets of Langerhans. This could lead to an intervention that can slow the progress of cell destruction.
Besides the mechanism of glutamate poisoning the beta cells, other factors such as high glucose, the buildup of a protein called amyloid, and free fatty acids, are contributors to diabetes.
“The vicious cycle in diabetes is that there are several substances that have been shown, also by us, to be toxic to beta cells,” Dr. Folli said. “And now we have found a new one, glutamate.”
Final words
This article shows the bad and the good news about the destruction of the beta cells. First the bad news: beta cells are destroyed which means more probabilities of developing diabetes. The good news is that scientists have found a new mechanism that leads to the destruction of these cells. Why is this good news? Because when we know the cause we can find a solution to counteract it.
To your health!
Emilia Klapp, R.D., B.S.
www.TheDiabetesClub.com
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