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Pancreatic function, type 2 diabetes, and metabolism in aging
Zhenwei Gong1, Radhika H Muzumdar
1Department of Pediatrics, Divisions of Endocrinology and Geriatrics, Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
International Journal of Endocrinology
|June 8, 2012
Summary
Aging significantly increases diabetes risk, particularly in older adults and certain ethnic groups. Understanding these age-related changes is key to developing new treatments and improving longevity.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic Diseases
Background:
- Aging is a primary risk factor for impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes (T2D).
- Diabetes prevalence rises sharply with age, disproportionately affecting older Hispanic, African American, and Pima Indian populations.
- Diabetes in the elderly exacerbates risks for other age-related conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the impact of aging on pancreatic beta cell function and mass.
- To examine how aging influences insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity.
- To understand the relationship between insulin sensitivity and secretion in the aging process.
Main Methods:
- This review synthesizes current scientific literature and epidemiological data.
- Analysis includes findings from surveys like the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination (NHANES III).
- The review focuses on mechanisms underlying age-related glucose homeostasis dysfunction.
Main Results:
- Aging negatively affects pancreatic beta cell function and reduces beta cell mass.
- Insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion patterns are altered with advancing age.
- The interplay between insulin sensitivity and secretion becomes dysregulated in older adults.
Conclusions:
- Age-related decline in pancreatic beta cell function and insulin sensitivity contributes to impaired glucose homeostasis.
- Understanding these aging mechanisms is crucial for developing targeted interventions to prevent or delay T2D in the elderly.
- Effective strategies could improve quality of life and extend lifespan for aging populations at risk for diabetes.
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