title: Pattern of distribution of IGF-1 and EGF in pancreatic islets of type 2 diabetic patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Growth factors such as insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) play important roles in the regulation of cell metabolism in response to different internal as well as external stimuli. It is not clear how Type 2 diabetes mellitus influences the expression of these growth factors in the endocrine pancreas. The localization of IGF-1 and EGF was analyzed to determine the impact of Type 2 diabetes on the pattern of distribution of these growth factors in pancreatic islet cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pancreatic tissue samples retrieved, during pancreatectomy for pancreatic tumour, from patients with and without Type 2 diabetes were paraffin embedded. The tissue samples were chosen from non-neoplastic, clear excisional, margins. The expression of IGF-1 and EGF was investigated using immunofluorescence techniques.
  
  
  RESULTS
  IGF-1- and EGF-immunoreactive cells were observed in many cells located in the central region of pancreatic islets. The percentage of islet cells expressing IGF-1 and EGF decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in diabetic patients compared to control.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The number of human pancreatic islet cells expressing IGF-1 and EGF decreased significantly after the onset of Type 2 diabetes. These growth factors may play a role in the function of the endocrine pancreas and in the pathogenesis of the diabetes mellitus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Suhail
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Al-Salam
authors.forename: Raheed
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hameed
authors.forename: Hasan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Parvez
authors.forename: Ernest
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Adeghate
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism*; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I