The adhesion receptor GPR56 is activated by extracellular matrix collagen III to improve β-cell function.

Aims: G-protein coupled receptor 56 (GPR56) is the most abundant islet-expressed G-protein coupled receptor, suggesting a potential role in islet function. This study evaluated islet expression of GPR56 and its endogenous ligand collagen III, and their effects on β-cell function.

Methods: GPR56 and collagen III expression in mouse and human pancreas sections was determined by fluorescence immunohistochemistry.

The diet-derived short chain fatty acid propionate improves beta-cell function in humans and stimulates insulin secretion from human islets in vitro.

Aims: Diet-derived short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) improve glucose homeostasis in vivo, but the role of individual SCFAs and their mechanisms of action have not been defined. This study evaluated the effects of increasing colonic delivery of the SCFA propionate on β-cell function in humans and the direct effects of propionate on isolated human islets in vitro.

Materials And Methods: For 24 weeks human subjects ingested an inulin-propionate ester that delivers propionate to the colon.

Fine tuning of insulin secretion by release of nerve growth factor from mouse and human islet β-cells.

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a protein required for neuronal development that also has regulatory functions in non-neuronal cells. Both NGF and its membrane receptors trkA and p75(NTR) are expressed by islet β-cells. In this study we dynamically profiled NGF secretion from islets and used selective trkA and p75(NTR) inhibitors to identify the role of endogenous NGF in β-cell stimulus-secretion coupling.

Splenic rupture after colorectal cancer screening.

The number of colonoscopies performed in recent years is increasing dramatically, specially those related to colorectal cancer screening programmes. For this reason, there is a direct relationship with the number of exceptional complications such as splenic rupture. We describe a clinical case of a splenic rupture with hemodynamic instability.