Islets Of Langerhans Research Articles

Insulin's Function in Health and Disease

Insulin is a polypeptide hormone that is primarily released by cells in the pancreatic islets of Langerhans. The hormone may work in tandem with glucagon to control blood sugar levels; glucagon has catabolic properties while insulin has anabolic ones. Insulin controls blood glucose levels and causes the liver, muscles, and adipose tissue to store glucose, which causes total weight gain. Insulin plays a crucial role in the initiation and development of many chronic diseases because it modulates a variety of physiological processes. Other techniques are based on the exogenous infusion of glucose or insulin, or both, either under steady-state (the insulin suppression test) or under dynamic conditions (the insulin tolerance test, intravenous glucose-tolerance test with minimal model analysis, and constant infusion of glucose with model analysis). Homeostatic model assessment uses fasting plasma glucose and insulin concentrations to derive indices of insulin sensitivity and secretion from a mathematical model.

Insulin release from isolated cat islets of Langerhans

Feline diabetes mellitus is a common endocrine disease with increasing prevalence. It shows similarities with human type 2 diabetes and is characterized by insulin resistance and deficient insulin secretion. Moreover, cats and humans belong to the very few species that form amyloid depositions in the pancreatic islets. However, little is known about cat islet function and no studies have addressed insulin secretion from isolated islets ex vivo. The aim of this study was to establish a protocol for isolation of islets of Langerhans from pancreata of cats euthanized due to disease, and to evaluate insulin secretion responses to various physiological and pharmacological stimuli. Collagenase digestion of pancreatic tissue from 13 non-diabetic cats and two cats with diabetic ketoacidosis yielded individual islets surrounded by a layer of exocrine tissue that was reduced after two days in culture. Histological examination showed islet amyloid in pancreatic biopsies from most non-diabetic and in one diabetic cat. Islets from non-diabetic cats cultured at 5.5 mM glucose responded with increased insulin secretion to 16.7 mM glucose, 30 mM K+ and 20 µM of the sulfonylurea glipizide (2-3 times basal secretion at 3 mM glucose). The glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist exendin-4 (100 nM) had no effect under basal conditions but potentiated glucose-triggered insulin release. Only one of nine islet batches from diabetic cats released detectable amounts of insulin, which was enhanced by exendin-4. Culture of islets from non-diabetic cats at 25 mM glucose impaired secretion both in response to glucose and K+ depolarization. In conclusion, we describe a procedure for isolation of islets from cat pancreas biopsies and demonstrate that isolated cat islets secrete insulin in response to glucose and antidiabetic drugs. The study provides a basis for future ex vivo studies of islet function relevant to the understanding of the pathophysiology and treatment of feline diabetes.

Acute post-manipulation pancreatitis after interventions on the major duodenal papilla (experimental study)

Objective. To study the morphological consequences of severe acute post-manipulation pancreatitis (APP), the morphological features of its course and the result of the compound "L-17" exposure.
 Materials and methods. Rats weighing 250–300 g were used. Forty operations were performed to create a model of APP on rats. The control group included 20 rats with APP without medication, the experimental group – 20 rats with AKI against the background of "L-17" introduced in the dose of 40 mg/kg once per day.
 Results. In all cases of application of this APP model in rats, the development of acute pancreatitis was noted. The conducted morphological studies showed that APP in rats in the experiment met the criteria for a severe course of acute pancreatitis with the development of purulent peritonitis and necrotizing parapancreatitis with morphological manifestations of systemic inflammation in all the organs studied (with a lethality of 70 %). The use of a new "L-17" in APP in experimental rats showed a decrease in the risk for developing both purulent peritonitis and purulent-necrotic parapancreatitis as well as a 2-fold decrease in mortality (from 70 % to 30 %). A new effect of "L-17" was revealed, i.e. prevention of necrosis of Langerhans islets. The study of the cellular composition of the inflammatory infiltrate showed a decrease in the activity of inflammatory process.
 Conclusions. The efficacy of a new rat model of APP, ranked by severity, was shown. "L-17" alleviates the severity of APP, reducing the risk for developing various purulent complications and systemic inflammation.

Autoimmune diseases: targets, biology, and drug discovery.

Autoimmune diseases (AIDs) arise from a breakdown in immunological self-tolerance, wherein the adaptive immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells, tissues and organs. AIDs impose excessive treatment costs and currently rely on non-specific and universal immunosuppression, which only offer symptomatic relief without addressing the underlying causes. AIDs are driven by autoantigens, targeting the autoantigens holds great promise in transforming the treatment of these diseases. To achieve this goal, a comprehensive understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms underlying different AIDs and the identification of specific autoantigens are critical. In this review, we categorize AIDs based on their underlying causes and compile information on autoantigens implicated in each disease, providing a roadmap for the development of novel immunotherapy regimens. We will focus on type 1 diabetes (T1D), which is an autoimmune disease characterized by irreversible destruction of insulin-producing β cells in the Langerhans islets of the pancreas. We will discuss insulin as possible autoantigen of T1D and its role in T1D pathogenesis. Finally, we will review current treatments of TID and propose a potentially effective immunotherapy targeting autoantigens.

Relations between Glucose and d-Amino Acids in the Modulation of Biochemical and Functional Properties of Rodent Islets of Langerhans.

The cell-to-cell signaling role of d-amino acids (d-AAs) in the mammalian endocrine system, particularly in the islets of Langerhans, has drawn growing interest for their potential involvement in modulating glucose metabolism. Previous studies found colocalization of serine racemase [produces d-serine (d-Ser)] and d-alanine (d-Ala) within insulin-secreting beta cells and d-aspartate (d-Asp) within glucagon-secreting alpha cells. Expressed in the islets, functional N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors are involved in the modulation of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and have binding sites for several d-AAs. However, knowledge of the regulation of d-AA levels in the islets during glucose stimulation as well as the response of islets to different levels of extracellular d-AAs is limited. In this study, we determined the intracellular and extracellular levels of d-Ser, d-Ala, and d-Asp in cultures of isolated rodent islets exposed to different levels of extracellular glucose. We found that the intracellular levels of the enantiomers demonstrated large variability and, in general, were not affected by extracellular glucose levels. However, significantly lower levels of extracellular d-Ser and d-Ala were observed in the islet media supplemented with 20 mM concentration of glucose compared to the control condition utilizing 3 mM glucose. Glucose-induced oscillations of intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i), a proxy for insulin secretion, were modulated by the exogenous application of d-Ser and d-Ala but not by their l-stereoisomers. Our results provide new insights into the roles of d-AAs in the biochemistry and function of pancreatic islets.

Comparison of the therapeutic effect of native and preconditioned human umbilical cord-derived multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells on a rat model of acute pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is a disease characterized by an acute or chronic inflammatory process of the pancreas, induced by the activation of trypsin inside acinocytes. These processes result in necrosis of the organ's parenchyma, abscess formation, and systemic complications, contributing to patient mortality rates ranging from 30-47%. As of now, there is no globally recognized effective treatment for acute pancreatitis. Multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MMSCs) are potential candidates for treating this disease due to their immunomodulatory properties. The aim of this study was to compare the therapeutic effects of transplanting native human umbilical cord-derived MMSCs (hUC-MMSCs) with hUC-MMSCs preconditioned with H2O2 in a rat model of acute pancreatitis. Materials and methods. Acute pancreatitis in rats was induced by intraperitoneal injection of L-arginine at a dose of 3.5 g/kg body weight at an interval of 1 hour. The rats were then categorized into four groups. Group 1 – negative control, where animals received a physiological solution; group 2 – positive control (pancreatitis). Three days after the onset of signs of developed acute pancreatitis, group 3 rats were intraperitoneally transplanted with native hUC-MMSCs, meeting the minimum criteria of the International Society for Cell and Gene Therapy, at a dose of 1.5×106 cells/kg. Group 4 received the same dose of hUC-MMSCs, but these cells were preconditioned with H2O2 at a concentration of 30 µM for 18 hours. The effects of both native and preconditioned hUC-MMSCs were evaluated at 3, 7, and 14 days after their introduction. Assessment criteria included the α-amylase index, identification of insulin in the islets of Langerhans, and histological analysis. Results. It was demonstrated that, three days post L-arginine administration, the α-amylase level surged by five times compared to the negative control, and blood glucose levels increased by 2.5 times, indicating damage to both the exocrine and endocrine parts of the pancreas. Microscopic examination revealed a 3.5-fold increase in fibrosis of the pancreatic parenchyma compared to the negative control. Three days after the transplantation of native hUC-MMSCs, the α-amylase level in the blood decreased by 1.7 times, and in the variant with preconditioned hUC-MMSCs, it decreased by 2 times compared to Group 2. By day 7, the α-amylase index in the native hUC-MMSCs group decreased by 2.4 times compared to the positive control, and in the preconditioned hUC-MMSCs group, it approached normal levels. A gradual recovery of the pancreatic architecture was observed by day 7, with a faster recovery in the preconditioned MMSCs group. Histological sections revealed a replacement of nuclei-free areas with acinocytes, indicated by a 3-fold decrease in the number of nuclei-free cells in the native hUC-MMSCs transplantation, and almost normal levels in the preconditioned hUC-MMSCs group. Both variants exhibited a positive histochemical PAS-reaction for the identification of insulin in the islets of Langerhans, and blood glucose levels corresponded to the norm. After 14 days, complete recovery of the pancreas was observed in both variants. Conclusion. The study results indicate that hUC-MMSCs transplantation in rats with acute pancreatitis contributes to the restoration of pancreatic parenchyma architecture and function. Moreover, the administration of MMSCs preconditioned with H2O2 significantly enhances the therapeutic effect, expediting the recovery process of the pancreas in animals.

Chronic consumption of imbalance diets high in sucrose or fat induces abdominal obesity with different pattern of metabolic disturbances and lost in Langerhans cells population

AimObesity is a worldwide health issue, associated with development of type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of consumption of two hypercaloric diets on metabolic disturbance and beta cells damage. Main methodsMale Wistar rats were subjected to twelve months consumption of three diets: a Control balanced diet (CTD, carbohydrates 58 %, proteins 29 %, lipids 13 %) and two hypercaloric diets, high in sucrose (HSD, carbohydrates 68 %, proteins 22 %, lipids 10 %) or high in fat (HFD, carbohydrates 31 %, proteins 14 %, lipids 55 %). Serum levels of glucose, triglycerides and free fatty acids were measured after zoometric parameters determination. Antioxidant enzymes activity and oxidative stress-marker were measured in pancreas tissue among histological analysis of Langerhans islets. Key findingsAlthough diets were hypercaloric, the amount of food consumed by rats decreased, resulting in an equal caloric consumption. The HSD induced hypertriglyceridemia and hyperglycemia with higher levels in free fatty acids (FFA, lipotoxicity); whereas HFD did not increased neither the triglycerides nor FFA, nevertheless the loss of islets' cell was larger. Both diets induced obesity with hyperglycemia and significant reduction in Langerhans islets size. SignificanceOur results demonstrate that consumption of HSD induces more significant metabolic disturbances that HFD, although both generated pancreas damage; as well hypercaloric diet consumption is not indispensable to becoming obese; the chronic consumption of unbalanced diets (rich in carbohydrates or lipids) may lead to abdominal obesity with metabolic and functional disturbances, although the total amount of calories are similar.

Kisspeptin upregulates β-cell serotonin production during pregnancy.

During pregnancy the maternal pancreatic islets of Langerhans undergo adaptive changes to compensate for gestational insulin resistance. The lactogenic hormones are well established to play a key role in regulating the islet adaptation to pregnancy, and one of the mechanisms through which they act is through upregulating β-cell serotonin production. During pregnancy islet serotonin levels are significantly elevated, where it is released from the β-cells to drive the adaptive response through paracrine and autocrine effects. We have previously shown that placental kisspeptin (KP) also plays a role in promoting the elevated insulin secretion and β-cell proliferation observed during pregnancy, although the precise mechanisms involved are unclear. In the present study we investigated the effects of KP on expression of pro-proliferative genes and serotonin biosynthesis within rodent islets. Whilst KP had limited effect on pro-proliferative gene expression at the time points tested, KP did significantly stimulate expression of the serotonin biosynthesis enzyme Tph-1. Furthermore, the islets of pregnant β-cell-specific GPR54 knockdown mice were found to contain significantly fewer serotonin-positive β-cells when compared to pregnant controls. Our previous studies suggested that reduced placental kisspeptin production, with consequent impaired kisspeptin-dependent β-cell compensation, may be a factor in the development of GDM in humans. These current data suggest that, similar to the lactogenic hormones, KP may also contribute to serotonin biosynthesis and subsequent islet signalling during pregnancy. Furthermore, upregulation of serotonin biosynthesis may represent a common mechanism through which multiple signals might influence the islet adaptation to pregnancy.

Leonid Vasilyevich Sobolev: the first Russian diabetologist, or the History of an unnoticed discovery

Leonid Vasilyevich Sobolev is an outstanding pathologist, whose name definitely should occupy an honorable place in the galaxy of great scientists of Russia. However, his name was undeservedly forgotten, and the role of his work was underestimated. This Russian scientist made the most important discovery: he proved in an experiment that it is the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas that secrete a humoral regulator, "factor X", the deficiency of which leads to diabetes mellitus. This mysterious islet factor will be isolated from the pancreas of dogs in 1921 by the future Nobel laureate Frederick G. Banting and will become part of the medicine as insulin. However, there is every reason to believe that the discovery of F. G. Banting, who repeated a series of experiments by Leonid Vasilyevich Sobolev, is, in fact, secondary, which is the research subject in this paper.

Application of chimeric antigen receptor-natural killer cells for the treatment of type 1 diabetes

For the past 100 years, insulin supplementation has been the mainstay of treatment for type 1 diabetes (T1D), which is characterized by progressive autoimmune-mediated loss of insulin-producing β cells in the islets of Langerhans over the last decades, technological advances in glucose monitoring and therapeutics have greatly improved the care and management of these patients. However, morbidity, mortality, and quality of life remain challenges for patients with T1D. Islet transplantation has been successfully performed, but there are several limiting factors, such as the lack of cadaveric donors and the need for lifelong immunosuppressive therapy. Therefore, there is a great medical need for alternative therapeutic approaches. In the current review, the current knowledge on novel approaches for the treatment of T1D with a focus on the potential of using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells and natural killer (NK) cells is summarized.

Ultrastructural Architecture Studies of Pancreas in Guinea pig

Background: The pancreas is an accessory organ of the digestive system and also an important endocrine organ of vertebrates that produce and release substances in the body. The pancreas has both endocrine and exocrine function. Its endocrine function is to regulate blood sugar levels by secretion of hormones like insulin, glucagon, stomatostatin and pancreatic polypeptide and an exocrine function that helps in digestion. The study was performed to document the ultrastructural details of pancreas of guinea pigs by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Methods: Six adult healthy guinea pigs of 16-32 weeks of age (Irrespective of sex) were procured from the Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine, TANUVAS as per ethical committee approval. Animals were dissected according to standard operating procedure by using the Carbon dioxide asphyxiations as per CPCSEA norms and pancreatic pieces were utilised for SEM and TEM study. Result: Pancreas was irregular in shaped and showed splenic, ventricular and intestinal lobes. In SEM, the parenchyma was covered by the dense irregular capsule. Each lobule contained many acini which were connected by a thin, long duct with branched pattern arrangement with increasing wall thickness and diameter. In TEM, the pancreatic tissue consisted of glandular lobules comprised of acini, islets of Langerhans and connective tissue between the lobules. Numerous mitochondria and golgi complexes were also present in the acinar cell cytoplasm along with zymogen granules and rough endoplasmic reticulum. The centroacinar cells were also found. A special type of interstitial cell named telocytes and each was found with many telopodes in the exocrine part of pancreatic parenchyma. Among the four islet cell types, alpha and beta cells could be identified.

Islet architecture in adult mice is actively maintained by Robo2 expression in β cells

A fundamental question in developmental biology is whether tissue architectures formed during development are set for life, or require continuous maintenance signals, and if so, what are those signals. The islets of Langerhans in the pancreas can serve as an elegant model tissue to answer these questions. Islets have a non-random spatial architecture, which is important to proper glucose homeostasis. Islet architecture forms during embryonic development, in a morphogenesis process partially involving expression of Roundabout (Robo) receptors in β cells, and their ligand, Slit, in the surrounding mesenchyme. Whether islet architecture is set during development and remains passive in adulthood, or whether it requires active maintenance throughout life, has not been determined. Here we conditionally deleted Robo2 in β cells of adult mice and observed their islet architecture following a two-month chase. We show that deleting Robo2 in adult β cells causes significant loss of islet architecture without affecting β cell identity, maturation, or stress, indicating that Robo2 plays a role in actively maintaining adult islet architecture. Understanding the factors required to maintain islet architecture, and thus optimize islet function, is important for developing future diabetes therapies.

Pancreatic Antioxidative Defense and Heat Shock Proteins Prevent Islet of Langerhans Cell Death After Chronic Oral Exposure to Cadmium LOAEL Dose.

Cadmium, a hazardous environmental contaminant, is associated with metabolic disease development. The dose with the lowest observable adverse effect level (LOAEL) has not been studied, focusing on its effect on the pancreas. We aimed to evaluate the pancreatic redox balance and heat shock protein (HSP) expression in islets of Langerhans of male Wistar rats chronically exposed to Cd LOAEL doses, linked to their survival. Male Wistar rats were separated into control and cadmium groups (drinking water with 32.5 ppm CdCl2). At 2, 3, and 4 months, glucose, insulin, and cadmium were measured in serum; cadmium and insulin were quantified in isolated islets of Langerhans; and redox balance was analyzed in the pancreas. Immunoreactivity analysis of p-HSF1, HSP70, HSP90, caspase 3 and 9, and cell survival was performed. The results showed that cadmium exposure causes a serum increase and accumulation of the metal in the pancreas and islets of Langerhans, hyperglycemia, and hyperinsulinemia, associated with high insulin production. Cd-exposed groups presented high levels of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation. An augment in MT and GSH concentrations with the increased enzymatic activity of the glutathione system, catalase, and superoxide dismutase maintained a favorable redox environment. Additionally, islets of Langerhans showed a high immunoreactivity of HSPs and minimal immunoreactivity to caspase associated with a high survival rate of Langerhans islet cells. In conclusion, antioxidative and HSP pancreatic defense avoids cell death associated with Cd accumulation in chronic conditions; however, this could provoke oversynthesis and insulin release, which is a sign of insulin resistance.

Glucose metabolism disorders associated with COVID-19: clinical and morphological study

BACKGROUND. Glucose metabolism disorders (GMD) were detected both in acute and in post-COVID, however, its pathogenic aspects remain unclear.AIM. To analyze the occurrence of GMD in post-COVID patients who have had moderate and severe COVID-19 without previously known GMD disorders, and evaluate expression of SARS-CoV-2 proteins and its entry factors in pancreas in acute COVID-19.METHODS. Among 187 hospitalized patients with confirmed COVID-19 141 patients without previously diagnosed GMD underwent follow-up post-COVID visits. The examination for all patients included anthropometric measurement with calculation of BMI, level of HbA1c and fasting plasma glucose, for 106 patients level of insulin and HOMA-IR index was analyzed. For histological examination, pancreas fragments of 20 patients with fatal outcome were selected. Immunohistochemical study was performed with antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, ACE2, DPP4, as well as double-labeled immunofluorescence microscopy (insulin-SARS-CoV-2, insulin-ACE2, insulin-DPP4).RESULTS. Among 141 patients in post-COVID period, 9 (6.3%) had HbA1c or fasting plasma glucose levels that met criteria for diabetes mellitus, 38 (26.9%) — exceeded normal values (WHO), and 84 (59.6%) had GMD according to criteria of the ADA. In post-COVID, patients with GMD had a higher BMI and HOMA-IR index (p=0.001) compared to patients with normal glycemic levels. Only 40.4% of people had HOMA-IR index above 2.7. Patients with GMD had higher level of CRP (p=0.007) and a maximum glucose level (p=0.019) in the acute period. Positive relationship was found between BMI and HOMA index both in acute (p<0.001; r=0.389) and post-COVID (p<0.001; r=0.412) periods, as well as the level of HbA1c in acute period (p=0.019, r=0.202) and in post-COVID (p=0.004, r=0.242).Histological and immunohistochemical studies showed the expression of SARS-CoV-2 proteins in 1.85% [0–15.4] and 11.1% [5.3–14.8] cells of the Langerhans islets in patients who died on the second and third waves, respectively. The expression of ACE2 and DPP4 in the islets of Langerhans did not exceed 0.4% [0–1.7] and 0.5% [0–0.8] of cells, respectively. Double-labeled immunofluorescence microscopy showed co-localization of SARS-CoV-2, ACE2, DPP4 with insulin.CONCLUSION. Post-COVID Glucose metabolism disorders may be explained by direct cytotoxic effect of SARS-COV-2, increased glucose toxicity and insulin resistance because of the acute infection and its complex therapy.

Footprint of pancreas infiltrating and circulating immune cells throughout type 1 diabetes development.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is defined by immune cell infiltration of the pancreas, in particular the islets of Langerhans, referred to as insulitis, which is especially prominent during the early disease stages in association with decreased beta cell mass. An in-depth understanding of the dynamics and phenotype of the immune cells infiltrating the pancreas and the accompanying changes in their profiles in peripheral blood during T1D development is critical to generate novel preventive and therapeutic approaches, as well as to find biomarkers for the disease process. Using multi-parameter flow cytometry, we explored the dynamic changes of immune cells infiltrating the pancreas and the pancreatic draining lymph nodes (PLN), compared to those in peripheral blood in female and male non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice during T1D progression. The early stages of T1D development were characterized by an influx of innate dendritic cells and neutrophils in the pancreas. While dendritic cells seemed to move in and out (to the PLN), neutrophils accumulated during the pre-symptomatic phase and reached a maximum at 8 weeks of age, after which their numbers declined. During disease progression, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells appeared to continuously migrate from the PLN to the pancreas, which coincided with an increase in beta cell autoimmunity and insulitis severity, and a decline in insulin content. At 12 weeks of age, CD4+ and especially CD8+ T cells in the pancreas showed a dramatic shift from naïve to effector memory phenotype, in contrast to the PLN, where most of these cells remained naïve. A large proportion of pancreas infiltrating CD4+ T cells were naïve, indicating that antigenic stimulation was not necessary to traffic and invade the pancreas. Interestingly, a pre-effector-like T cell dominated the peripheral blood. These cells were intermediates between naïve and effector memory cells as identified by single cell RNA sequencing and might be a potential novel therapeutic target. These time- and tissue-dependent changes in the dynamics and functional states of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells are essential steps in our understanding of the disease process in NOD mice and need to be considered for the interpretation and design of disease-modifying therapies.

Analysis of D-amino acids secreted from murine islets of Langerhans using Marfey’s reagent and reversed phase LC-MS/MS

D-amino acids (D-AAs) are important signaling molecules due to their ability to bind ionotropic N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors. D-serine (D-Ser), D-alanine (D-Ala), and D-aspartate (D-Asp) have been found individually in the endocrine portion of the pancreas, the islets of Langerhans, and/or their secretions. However, there has been no report of a comprehensive assessment of D-AAs in islet secretions. To evaluate the release of these compounds, the effectiveness of both 1-(9-fluorenyl)-ethyl chloroformate (FLEC reagent) and 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrophenyl-5-L-alanine amide (Marfey’s reagent, MR) in separation of D/L-AA enantiomeric pairs in islet-specific buffers were evaluated. MR-derivatized D/L AAs showed greater than baseline resolution (Rs ≥ 1.5) of 13 enantiomeric pairs when using a non-linear gradient and an acidic mobile phase system, while FLEC-derivatized AAs exhibited limited resolution on both biphenyl and C18 columns. The optimized MR method yielded highly reproducible separations with retention times less than 1% RSD. Excellent linearity between the analyte concentrations and response (R2 > 0.98) were obtained, with less than 15% RSD for all analyte responses. Most analytes had an LOD at or below 100 nM, except for L-Ala (200 nM). The optimized MR method was used to quantify D-AAs in secretions of 150 murine islets after incubation in 3- and 20-mM glucose. In response to both solutions, D-Ser and D-glutamine were tentatively identified via comparison of retention time and quantifier-to-qualifer ion ratios with standards, and from spiking experiments. Both were secreted in low quantities which did not differ significantly in either low (D-Ser: 44 ± 2 fmol islet-1h−1; D-Gln: 300 ± 100 fmol islet-1h−1) or high (D-Ser: 23 ± 1 fmol islet-1h−1; D-Gln: 120 ± 50 fmol islet-1h−1) glucose across 3 biological replicates. The method developed is robust and can be applied to further examine the release of D-AAs and their potential roles in islet physiology.

Anti-Incretin Gut Features Induced by Feed Supplementation with Alpha-Amylase: Studies on EPI Pigs.

The acini-islet-acinar (AIA) axis concept justifies the anatomical placement of the Langerhans islets within the exocrine pancreatic parenchyma and explains the existence of the pancreas as a single organ. Amylase has been suggested to play a key role as an anti-incretin factor. Oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) were performed on 18 piglets in both a healthy (prior to pancreatic duct ligation (PDL) surgery, study Day 10) and an exocrine pancreatic insufficient (EPI) state (30 days after PDL, study Day 48)). Amylase (4000 units/feeding) or Creon® (100,000 units/feeding) was administered to pigs with the morning and evening meals, according to study design randomization, for 37 days following the first OGTT. Blood glucose levels, as well as plasma levels of insulin, GLP-1, and GIP, were measured, and the HOMA-IR index was calculated. EPI status did not affect the area under the curve (AUC) of insulin release, fasting insulin levels, or the HOMA-IR index, while amylase supplementation led to a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the above-mentioned parameters. At the same time, EPI led to a significant (p < 0.05) increase in GLP-1 levels, and neither amylase nor Creon® supplementation had any effects on this EPI-related increase. Fasting plasma levels of GIP were not affected by EPI; however, the GIP response in EPI and Amylase-treated EPI animals was significantly lower (p < 0.05) when compared to that of the intact, healthy pigs. Orally administered amylase induces gut anti-incretin action, normalizing glucose homeostasis and reducing HOMA-IR as a long-term outcome, thus lowering the risk of diabetes type II development. Amylase has long-lasting anti-incretin effects, and one could consider the existence of a long-lasting gut memory for amylase, which decreases hyperinsulinemia and hyperglycemia for up to 16 h after the last exposure of the gut to amylase.

Geometric and topological characterization of the cytoarchitecture of islets of Langerhans.

The islets of Langerhans are critical endocrine micro-organs that secrete hormones regulating energy metabolism in animals. Insulin and glucagon, secreted by beta and alpha cells, respectively, are responsible for metabolic switching between fat and glucose utilization. Dysfunction in their secretion and/or counter-regulatory influence leads to diabetes. Debate in the field centers on the cytoarchitecture of islets, as the signaling that governs hormonal secretion depends on structural and functional factors, including electrical connectivity, innervation, vascularization, and physical proximity. Much effort has therefore been devoted to elucidating which architectural features are significant for function and how derangements in these features are correlated or causative for dysfunction, especially using quantitative network science or graph theory characterizations. Here, we ask if there are non-local features in islet cytoarchitecture, going beyond standard network statistics, that are relevant to islet function. An example is ring structures, or cycles, of α and δ cells surrounding β cell clusters or the opposite, β cells surrounding α and δ cells. These could appear in two-dimensional islet section images if a sphere consisting of one cell type surrounds a cluster of another cell type. To address these issues, we developed two independent computational approaches, geometric and topological, for such characterizations. For the latter, we introduce an application of topological data analysis to determine locations of topological features that are biologically significant. We show that both approaches, applied to a large collection of islet sections, are in complete agreement in the context both of developmental and diabetes-related changes in islet characteristics. The topological approach can be applied to three-dimensional imaging data for islets as well.

Characteristic and bioactivities value of Nypa fruticans from coastal area in West Aceh District, Indonesia as a candidate antidiabetic agent

Abstract. Fitri Y, Yusni Y, Suryadi T, Mudatsir M. 2023. Characteristic and bioactivities value of Nypa fruticans from coastal area in West Aceh District, Indonesia as a candidate antidiabetic agent. Biodiversitas 24: 5260-5269. Nypa fruticans Wurmb is a functional plant that grows on the coasts of Indonesia, produced food and has health benefits. It has been believed for generations that Nypa fruticans Wurmb has potential as an antidiabetic, although a complete study is needed. This research aimed to evaluate the potential of the fruit of the Nypa fruticans Wurmb plant as an antidiabetic based on its characteristic values and pancreatic histopathology. The fruit was evaluated for phytochemical, tannin quantity, chemical compound determination, and confirmation of bioactivity. Antidiabetic properties were evaluated for pancreatic histopathology in an animal model. Nypa fruticans Wurmb contains polyphenols, tannins, saponins, triterpenoids, alkaloids and flavonoids, with a tannins quantity of 11.10 mg/AT/g extract. Furthermore, it contains antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory compounds, including the dominant 2,3-Butanediol (CAS) Butane-2,3-diol, Propane-1,1-diol diacetate, 4H-Pyran-4-one, 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydrox, and 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)- (CAS) Li. In addition, it has excellent bioactivity against nuclear receptor ligands, protease inhibitors, and enzyme inhibitors as an indicator of binding affinity with hot cells. Nypa fruticans Wurmb can increase beta cells, and expand the islets of Langerhans. The Nypa fruticans Wurmb, besides containing antioxidant and inflammatory compounds, has hight bioactivity, wich increases the frequency of beta cells and improves pancreatic islets of Langerhans repair in diabetic models.

Effect of GLITEROS specific-diabetes enteral formula modification based on tempe flour, jicama flour and sunflower seed flour on score pancreatic damage, number and diameter of the islets of langerhans of hyperglycemic rats pancreatic cells with streptozotocin induction

Tempeh, yam, and sunflower's flour have been known to have antidiabetic effects, but their combined effect on the histopathology of hyperglycemic rat pancreatic cells in an enteral formula has not been proven. This study aimed to analyze the effect of GLITEROS specific-diabetes enteral formula modification based on tempeh flour, yam flour, and sunflower seed flour on the score pancreatic damage, number and diameter of the islets of langerhans of hyperglycemic rats with streptozotocin induction. The intervention was administered via an oral probe for 28 days to 30 Wistar rats, with each group consisting of 6 rats. The formula was given at a dose of 3.97 g/200 g/day (P1) and 8.75 g/200gr/day (P2) compared to standard control (K), positive control (K +), and negative control (K-). Histopathological features of the pancreas were analyzed using the hematoxylin–eosin staining method. Data were analyzed using paied t-test/Wilcoxon and ANOVA/Kruskal Wallis. The results showed a significant repair of pancreatic cell damage in the treatment group (P1 and P2) after the intervention (p < 0.05), but there was no difference in the number and diameter of the islets of Langerhans (p > 0.05). Overall, our findings suggest that the modified GLITEROS specific-diabetes enteral formula made from tempeh, yam, and sunflower seeds flour on the histopathological picture of hyperglycemia-induced rat pancreas, especially in the repair of damage to pancreatic Langerhans cells.Graphical