Pancreatic islet β-cell failure in obesity

Abstract

It is well known that obesity is associated with insulin-resistance and a high risk of type 2 diabetes. However, most obese, insulin resistant individuals do not develop diabetes because the pancreatic β-cells undergo hyperplasia and hypertrophy and are able to secrete enough insulin to overcome impaired peripheral insulin action in muscle, fat, and liver. Therefore, diabetes only develops in those who are unable to compensate fully for the reduced insulin sensitivity. The mechanisms that underlie the β-cell compensation for insulin resistance are not fully understood. In this chapter, we review evidence showing that peptides derived from the hypothalamus, gut and adipose tissue play key roles in the regulation of pancreatic β-cell function under normal physiological conditions and in obesity. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.