Change in β-cell mass in Japanese nondiabetic obese individuals.

Aim: The aim of this study was to clarify the change in β-cell mass in Japanese obese individuals.

Methods: We obtained the pancreas at autopsy from 39 lean and 33 obese Japanese nondiabetic individuals (aged 47 ± 13 vs 47 ± 12 y, P = .83, body mass index 20.4 ± 1.6 vs 28.5 ± 3.9 kg/m(2), P < .01). Pancreatic sections were stained for insulin, and β-cell area (%BCA) was measured as the fraction of the β-cell area to the total pancreas area. β-Cell mass was then calculated as the product of %BCA and estimated pancreas weight. β-Cell replication and apoptosis were assessed by double staining for insulin and Ki67 and insulin and single-stranded DNA, respectively. The frequencies of insulin-positive duct cells and scattered β-cells were assessed as the surrogate markers of β-cell neogenesis. The α-cell area (%ACA) was also measured, and the %ACA to %BCA ratio was determined.

Results: There was no increase in β-cell mass in obese individuals compared with lean individuals (0.6 ± 0.4 vs 0.7 ± 0.4 g, P = .12). β-Cell replication, β-cell neogenesis, and β-cell apoptosis were not significantly increased in the presence of obesity. There was no significant difference in %ACA to %BCA ratio between obese and lean individuals (0.91 ± 1.09 vs 0.75 ± 0.51, P = .47).

Conclusion: There was no increase in β-cell mass and no detectable change in β-cell turnover in Japanese obese individuals.