Diabetes mellitus decreases the expression of calcitonin-gene related peptide, gamma-amino butyric acid and glutamic acid decarboxylase in human pancreatic islet cells.
OBJECTIVE
The pattern of distribution of calcitonin-gene related peptide (CGRP), a neuropeptide, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter and GABA-converting enzyme, glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) in the pancreas of diabetic patients was investigated to determine whether diabetes mellitus influences the expression of these biological transmitters.


METHODS
Pancreatic tissue samples retrieved, during pancreatectomy, from cancer patients with and without Type 2 diabetes were paraffin embedded. The expression of CGRP, GABA and GAD was examined in pancreatic tissue using immunofluorescence techniques.


RESULTS
CGRP, GABA and GAD were observed in many cells located in the central as well as the peripheral regions of pancreatic islet. The expression of CGRP, GABA and GAD decreased dramatically in pancreatic islet cells of diabetic patients compared to control. CGRP and GABA co-localized with glucagon in some pancreatic islet cells of both normal and diabetic patients. The pattern of distribution of CGRP, GABA and GAD in normal and Type 2 diabetic patients was similar to that of insulin.


CONCLUSIONS
The number of human pancreatic islet cells expressing CGRP, GABA and GAD decreased significantly after the onset of Type 2 diabetes. These neuropeptides and neurotransmitters may play a role in the regulation of pancreatic beta cell function.
Al-Salam
Suhail
S
Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
Hameed
Rashed
R
Parvez
Hasan S
HS
Adeghate
Ernest
E
D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000378:metabolism*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005934:Glucagon / Q000378:metabolism; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D050417:Insulin-Secreting Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D010180:Pancreatectomy; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism*
D007328:Insulin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D005934:Glucagon; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase; C401141:glutamate decarboxylase 2; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide