Advanced glycation end-products induce injury to pancreatic beta cells through oxidative stress

N Lin1, H Zhang, Q Su

  • 1Department of Endocrinology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 1665, Kong Jiang Road, Shanghai, 200092, China.

Diabetes & Metabolism
|March 6, 2012
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) cause pancreatic beta cell damage via oxidative stress, primarily through mitochondrial pathways. Inhibiting reactive oxygen species (ROS) can reverse AGEs

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are implicated in diabetic complications.
  • Pancreatic beta cells are crucial for insulin production and are vulnerable to oxidative stress.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the direct impact of AGEs on pancreatic beta cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and insulin secretion.
  • To identify the primary source of ROS in INS-1 cells and elucidate the molecular mechanisms of AGE-induced cell injury.

Main Methods:

  • INS-1 cells were exposed to varying concentrations of AGEs.
  • Cell apoptosis, ROS generation, NADPH oxidase activity, and MAPK phosphorylation were assessed using techniques including ELISA, real-time PCR, flow cytometry, and Western blotting.

Main Results:

  • AGEs induced dose-dependent increases in beta cell apoptosis and ROS generation.
  • Both mitochondrial and NADPH oxidase pathways contributed to ROS production, with the mitochondrial pathway being more prominent early on.
  • AGEs impaired insulin secretion, an effect largely mitigated by ROS inhibition.

Conclusions:

  • AGEs inflict damage on INS-1 cells through oxidative stress, predominantly via the mitochondrial pathway.
  • JNK and p38 MAPK signaling pathways play significant roles in ROS-mediated beta cell death.

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