Isolated islets of Langerhans have been widely used to clarify the beta-cell function and insulin secretion in normal and diabetic states. Most of these studies have applied a pooled-islet design using isolated islets from a number of animals. However, to our knowledge, no previous studies have explored the consequences of using the pooled-islet design.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe have shown that stevioside (SVS) enhances insulin secretion and thus may have a potential role as antihyperglycemic agent in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, whether SVS stimulates basal insulin secretion (BIS) and/or cause desensitization of beta cells like sulphonylureas (SU), e.g.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe influence of fatty acids on beta cell function has been well established whereas little is known about the role of fatty acids on alpha cell function. The aim of our study was to investigate the short-term effects of chain length, spatial configuration, and degree of unsaturation of fatty acids on glucagon secretion from isolated mouse islets and alpha tumor cell 1 clone 6 cells (alpha TC1-6 cells). Glucagon release was measured with different saturated and unsaturated fatty acids as well as cis and trans isomers of fatty acids at low and high glucose.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe world witnesses an explosive increase in diabetes, demanding intensified prevention and treatment not least for the low-income population. The plant, Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, has been used for the treatment of diabetes in traditional medicine. We have previously demonstrated that stevioside, a diterpene glycoside isolated from the plant Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, possesses insulinotropic, glucagonostatic, antihyperglycemic, and blood pressure-lowering effects in animal studies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFExtracts of leaves of the plant Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni (SrB), have been used for many years in traditional treatment of diabetes in South America. Stevia leaves contain diterpene glycosides, stevioside and rebaudioside A being the most abundant. Recently, it was demonstrated that stevioside stimulates the insulin secretion both in vitro and in vivo.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF