Reformed islets: a long-term primary cell platform for exploring mouse and human islet biology.

Pancreatic islets are 3D micro-organs that maintain β-cell functionality through cell-cell and cell-matrix communication. While primary islets, the gold standard for in vitro models, have a short culture life of approximately 1-2 weeks, we developed a novel protocol that employs reformed islets following dispersion coupled with a fine-tuned culture environment. Reformed islets exhibit physiological characteristics similar to primary islets, enabling high-resolution imaging and repeated functional assessment.

The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, sertraline and paroxetine, improve islet beta-cell mass and function in vitro.

Aims: To investigate the effects of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) sertraline and paroxetine at therapeutically relevant concentrations on beta-cell mass and function.

Methods: Viability was quantified in mouse insulinoma (MIN6) beta cells and mouse islets after 48-h exposure to sertraline (1-10 μM) or paroxetine (0.01-1 μM) using the Trypan blue exclusion test.

Lipid-induced glucose intolerance is driven by impaired glucose kinetics and insulin metabolism in healthy individuals.

Aims: Hypertriglyceridemia is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. We aimed to comprehensively examine the effects of hypertriglyceridemia on major glucose homeostatic mechanisms involved in diabetes progression.

Methods: In this randomized, cross-over, single-blinded study, two dual-labeled, 3-hour oral glucose tolerance tests were performed during 5-hour intravenous infusions of either 20 % Intralipid or saline in 12 healthy subjects (age 27.

The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine has direct effects on beta cells, promoting insulin secretion and increasing beta-cell mass.

Aim: This study investigated whether therapeutically relevant concentrations of fluoxetine, which have been shown to reduce plasma glucose and glycated haemoglobin independent of changes in food intake and body weight, regulate beta-cell function and improve glucose homeostasis.

Methods: Cell viability, insulin secretion, beta-cell proliferation and apoptosis were assessed after exposure of MIN6 beta cells or isolated mouse and human islets to 0.1, 1 or 10 μmol/L fluoxetine.