title: Unsaturated fatty acids as cytoprotective agents in the pancreatic beta-cell.
abstract: It is widely accepted that, in type 2 diabetes, elevated levels of free fatty acids and glucose contribute to a state of glucolipotoxicity in which beta-cell function declines and, ultimately, cell viability is compromised. This suggests that beta-cells do not readily tolerate chronic elevations in fatty acid levels. In vitro studies suggest, however, that beta-cells respond differentially to long chain fatty acids, such that saturated species are lipotoxic whereas long chain mono-unsaturated fatty acids can provide cytoprotection. This difference does not appear to be mediated by a mutual metabolic antagonism between saturated and unsaturated species (although differential alterations in neutral lipid disposition may occur in response to these fatty acids) and the mechanisms remain unclear. This review summaries the current understanding of the actions of mono-unsaturated fatty acids in beta-cells and highlights areas of controversy as well as key unresolved issues which require to be addressed.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomedical & Clinical Science, Peninsula Medical School (University of Exeter), Plymouth, UK. noel.morgan@pms.ac.uk
authors.forename: Noel G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: Shalinee
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dhayal
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D061945:Caspase Inhibitors; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D019610:Cytoprotection / Q000187:drug effects*; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D050417:Insulin-Secreting Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological
chemical_list: D061945:Caspase Inhibitors; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D053148:Caspase 3