Glucose has been suggested to not only be a B-cell stimulant but to also potentially modify B-cell function in a deleterious manner.
- This is known as “glucose toxicity” or “glucose desensitization.”
- There is research evidence that glucose decreased B-cell response to secretagogues.
- Balancing these findings are observations in humans that would suggest that glucose toxicity may not be a primary factor in the loss of B-cell function.
- The UKPDS findings suggest that in the early stages of diabetes, glucose is unlikely to be a critical factor in determining the progression of B-cell dysfunction.
- The glucose toxicity effect is likely to occur later rather than earlier and may well contribute to B-cell dysfunction once this secretory abnormality is present.
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