title: Update on the protective molecular pathways improving pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction.
abstract: The primary function of pancreatic beta-cells is to produce and release insulin in response to increment in extracellular glucose concentrations, thus maintaining glucose homeostasis. Deficient beta-cell function can have profound metabolic consequences, leading to the development of hyperglycemia and, ultimately, diabetes mellitus. Therefore, strategies targeting the maintenance of the normal function and protecting pancreatic beta-cells from injury or death might be crucial in the treatment of diabetes. This narrative review will update evidence from the recently identified molecular regulators preserving beta-cell mass and function recovery in order to suggest potential therapeutic targets against diabetes. This review will also highlight the relevance for novel molecular pathways potentially improving beta-cell dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 6, 16132 Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Puddu
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sanguineti
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mach
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dallegri
authors.forename: Giorgio Luciano
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Viviani
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Montecucco
mesh_terms: D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D050417:Insulin-Secreting Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008687:Metformin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D035683:MicroRNAs; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; D008687:Metformin; D002118:Calcium