Ultrasound stimulation of insulin release from pancreatic beta cells

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a complex metabolic disease that has reached epidemic proportions. Pharmacological management routinely requires complex therapy with multiple medications, and loses its effectiveness over time. Thus, new modes of therapy are needed that will target directly the underlying causes of abnormal glucose metabolism. The aims of this study were to explore a potential new treatment method that utilizes the non-invasive application of ultrasound energy to induce release of insulin from pancreatic β-cells. Our experiments consisted of assessing the safety, effectiveness and controllability of ultrasound- induced insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells.