30.6.11

Fatty acids & ketones inhibit B-cell functions in human pancreas

My Carb Sane-Asylum: Long term exposure to fatty acids and ketones inhibits B-cell functions in human pancreatic islets of Langerhans

This underlines that high levels of both -- glucose/carbs and fatty acids -- wreak havoc on the body.

The effects of ketones were tested by 48-h exposure to β-hydroxybutyrate (β-D-OHB). Ten millimoles of D-β-OHB per L inbibited the subsequently tested insulin response to 27 mmol/L glucose by 56% (P<0.001). Half-maximal inhibitory effects of D-β-OHB on insulin secretion and insulin content were seen at concentrations between 0.5-2.5 mmol/l. Inhibition by D-β-OHB was partially reversed by etomoxir, whereas exposure to D-β-OHB failed to affect PDH and PDH kinase activities.

We conclude that fatty acids as well as ketone bodies diminish B-cell responsiveness to glucose in human islets by way of a glucose-fatty acid cycle. Increased plasma concentrations of fatty acids and ketones are likely to be important factors behind the negative influences on B-cell function exerted by a diabetic state in botb type 1 and type 2 diabetes.