Arachidonic acid fights palmitate: new insights into fatty acid toxicity in β-cells.
Saturated fatty acids are toxic to pancreatic β-cells. By inducing apoptosis, they contribute to a decrease in β-cell mass, a hallmark of Type 2 diabetes. In the present issue of Clinical Science, Keane and co-workers show that the polyunsaturated fatty acid arachidonic acid protects the β-cell against the toxic effects of palmitate. As Type 2 diabetes is characterized by subclinical inflammation, and arachidonic acid and metabolites thereof are produced during states of inflammation, it is possible that pancreatic β-cells use arachidonic acid as a compound for self-protection.
Department of Clinical Science and Education, Karolinska Institutet, Södersjukhuset, 118 83 Stockholm, Sweden. henrik.ortsater@sodersjukhuset.se
Henrik
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Ortsäter
D000818:Animals; D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000502:physiology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D050417:Insulin-Secreting Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D010168:Palmitates / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000494:pharmacology
D010168:Palmitates; D016718:Arachidonic Acid