Ebook: Pancreatic Beta Cell in Health and Disease

The beta cells of the pancreatic islets of Langerhans are the only cells in the body that produce and secrete insulin, a key metabolic hormone, which plays a central role in the maintenance of glucose homeostasis regulating glucose uptake in muscle and adipose tissue as well as carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism in these tissues and the liver. Failure of normal beta-cell function can lead to hyperglycemia (diabetes mellitus) or hypoglycemia. While hy- glycemia is a rare and life-threatening condition in which the beta cell secretes too much insulin, diabetes mellitus is a common disorder that is fast bec- ing an epidemic. It is a major threat to human health in the 21st century. The number of diabetic patients worldwide is rapidly increasing and is predicted to reach 380 million by 2025, according to the International Diabetes Fede- tion (IDF). Diabetes mellitus is a heterogeneous disorder with some forms such as maturity-onset diabetes of the young and permanent neonatal diabetes being primary genetic disorders of the beta cell. Monogenic forms of diabetes are an uncommon cause of diabetes representing about 1% of cases. The common forms of diabetes mellitus, designated type 1 and type 2, are multifactorial in origin with both genetic and environmental factors contributing to their development. Type 1 diabetes is caused by autoimmune destruction of beta cells leading to an absolute de? ciency of insulin and fatal hyperglycemia and ketoacidosis if not treated.

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Content:
Front Matter....Pages I-XV
Front Matter....Pages 1-1
Architecture of Pancreatic Islets....Pages 3-11
Transcriptional Regulation of Insulin Gene Expression....Pages 13-30
The Biosynthesis of Insulin....Pages 31-49
Front Matter....Pages 51-51
Metabolic Regulation of Insulin Secretion....Pages 53-74
Mechanisms of Beta-Cell Death in Diabetes....Pages 75-89
Ion Channels and Insulin Secretion....Pages 91-110
Gap Junctions and Insulin Secretion....Pages 111-132
Protein Kinase A-Independent Mechanism of cAMP in Insulin Secretion....Pages 133-146
Regulation of Insulin Granule Exocytosis....Pages 147-176
Mechanism of Insulin Exocytosis Analyzed by Imaging Techniques....Pages 177-193
Two-Photon Excitation Imaging of Insulin Exocytosis....Pages 195-211
Front Matter....Pages 213-213
Regulation of Beta-Cell Growth and Death....Pages 215-243
Beta-Cell Replication....Pages 245-263
Stem Cells as a Cure for Diabetes....Pages 265-284
Use of Extra-Pancreatic Tissues for Cell Replacement Therapy for Diabetes....Pages 285-312
Front Matter....Pages 313-313
Molecular Biology of Gluco-Incretin Function....Pages 315-334
Incretins and Regulation of Insulin Secretion....Pages 335-378
Front Matter....Pages 379-379
Pancreatic Islet Pathology in Type 2 Diabetes....Pages 381-398
Genetic Disorders of the Pancreatic Beta Cell and Diabetes (Permanent Neonatal Diabetes and Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young)....Pages 399-430
ATP-Sensitive Potassium Channels in Health and Disease....Pages 431-450
Back Matter....Pages 465-474
Glucokinase in Glucose Homeostasis, Diabetes Mellitus, Hypoglycemia, and as Drug Receptor....Pages 451-463