Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Isolation of Human Islets from Partially Pancreatectomized Patients
Published on: July 30, 2011
Autonomic dysfunction is related to impaired pancreatic beta cell function in patients with coronary artery disease
J W Sayer1, B Marchant, S V Gelding
1Departments of Cardiology, London Chest Hospital, The Royal Hospitals NHS Trust, Bonner Road, London E2 9JX, UK.
Objective:
To assess the role of beta cell failure in the development of autonomic dysfunction in patients with coronary artery disease.
Design:
Autonomic function was measured by standard clinical methods and by heart rate variability in 24 type II diabetic and 24 non-diabetic subjects with coronary artery disease. Quantitative estimates of pancreatic beta cell function (%beta) and insulin resistance were made from basal plasma glucose and insulin concentrations using a computer solved model. Fasting proinsulin levels provided an independent measure of beta cell function.
Results:
The circadian rhythm of sympathovagal balance (ratio of low to high frequency spectral components of heart rate variability) was significantly attenuated in patients with below median (%beta = 63. 3) compared with above median pancreatic beta cell function. Multiple measures of autonomic function showed positive associations with %beta (low frequency: r = 0.41, p = 0.004; high frequency: r = 0.27, p = 0.07; lying/standing fall in systolic pressure: r = -0.30, p = 0.04) and negative associations with proinsulin (low frequency: r = -0.35, p = 0.03; high frequency: r = -0.36, p = 0.02; standard deviation of RR intervals: r = -0.43, p = 0.007). Associations tended to be stronger in non-diabetic than diabetic patients. In contrast, there was no association between insulin resistance and either autonomic function or the circadian rhythm of sympathovagal balance, regardless of diabetes status.
Conclusions:
The data are consistent with the hypothesis that beta cell failure plays a pathogenic role in the development of autonomic dysfunction in patients with coronary artery disease.
Related Concept Videos
Disorders of the Autonomic Nervous System
Raynaud's disease, also known as Raynaud's phenomenon, is a...
Pathophysiology of Heart Failure
Chronic Pancreatitis I: Introduction
Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, which occurs when the immune system becomes active and causes swelling, pain, and disruptions in organ function. Pancreatitis can manifest as either an acute or chronic condition.
Acute pancreatitis arises suddenly and lasts for a brief duration, while chronic pancreatitis is a long-term affliction...
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction
Type II Diabetes II: Pathophysiology
Chronic Pancreatitis I: Introduction

