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Initial hyperinsulinemia and subsequent β-cell dysfunction is associated with elevated palmitate levels

Johan Staaf1,2, Sarojini J K A Ubhayasekera3, Ernest Sargsyan1

  • 1Department of Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.

Pediatric Research
|April 12, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Elevated palmitate levels in obese children and adolescents are linked to altered insulin secretion. This suggests that fatty acid exposure impacts pancreatic islet function, potentially contributing to diabetes development.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Metabolic disorders
  • Pediatric research

Background:

  • Childhood obesity and diabetes prevalence are rising.
  • Nonesterified fatty acids, like palmitate, may link obesity to diabetes.
  • Understanding palmitate's role in insulin secretion is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between palmitate and insulin secretion in children and adolescents.
  • To examine the in vivo and in vitro effects of palmitate on pancreatic islet function.

Main Methods:

  • Studied 80 obese and lean children/adolescents, measuring fasting palmitate and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (OGTT).
  • Cultured human islets with palmitate, assessing glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS), insulin content, and apoptosis.
  • Analyzed palmitate levels, insulin response during OGTT, GSIS, insulin content, and apoptosis markers.

Main Results:

  • Obese subjects showed higher fasting palmitate levels.
  • Elevated palmitate correlated with accentuated insulin levels in younger obese children but delayed first-phase insulin response in obese adolescents.
  • In vitro, palmitate initially enhanced GSIS but attenuated it after 7 days, while decreasing insulin content and increasing apoptosis.

Conclusions:

  • High palmitate levels in obese youth are associated with altered insulin secretory patterns.
  • These changes in insulin secretion and islet integrity may be induced by prolonged palmitate exposure.
  • Palmitate's impact on pancreatic islets could be a key factor in obesity-related diabetes development.
Abstract

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