Beta Cell Function and the Nutritional State: Dietary Factors that Influence Insulin Secretion

Abstract

Approximately 366 million people worldwide have been diagnosed with type-2 diabetes (T2D). Chronic insulin resistance, decreased functional β-cell mass, and elevated blood glucose are defining characteristics of T2D. Great advances have been made in understanding the pathogenesis of T2D with respect to the effects of dietary macronutrient composition and energy intake on β-cell physiology and glucose homeostasis. It has been further established that obesity is a leading pathogenic factor for developing insulin resistance. However, insulin resistance may not progress to T2D unless β-cells are unable to secret an adequate amount of insulin to compensate for decreased insulin sensitivity. Therefore, pancreatic β-cell dysfunction plays an important role in the development of overt diabetes. This paper reviews recent research findings on the effects of several micronutrients (zinc, vitamin D, iron, vitamin A), leucine, and the phytochemical, genistein on pancreatic β-cell physiology with emphasis on their effects on insulin secretion, specifically in the context of T2D.

Pre-pregnancy dietary micronutrient adequacy is associated with lower risk of developing gestational diabetes in Australian women

“…Few modifiable risk factors for GDM have been identified, but diet has been indicated as one of the most important ones as it is relatively easy to modify [7,8]. Recent reviews have summarized evidence that show there is a relation between diet and the development of glucose intolerance in non-pregnant populations [9][10][11]. Both protective and risk-enhancing associations were observed between different dietary factors and glucose intolerance.…”

“…Both protective and risk-enhancing associations were observed between different dietary factors and glucose intolerance. Micronutrients act via multiple pathways in glucose homeostasis [10]. For example, zinc is involved in insulin assembly, thiamin is an essential coenzyme, and magnesium is involved in glucose transport, whereas vitamin E and C may mitigate metabolic stress, promoting glucose and fatty acid utilization [11].…”

Dietary zinc intake and whole blood zinc concentration in subjects with type 2 diabetes versus healthy subjects: A systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression

“…Zinc is an essential trace element that is directly implicated in the physiology of glucose metabolism, participating in the synthesis, storage, secretion, action and translocation of insulin into the cells [1][2][3], as well as translocation of GLUT4 to the cell surface for glucose transport into the insulin responsive cells [4]. Disturbances in zinc homeostasis may play a role in the pathogenesis [5,6], pathophysiology [7][8][9] and control [10][11][12] of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).…”

Transcriptome Profiles and Gene Expression of Min6 Cells Are Altered by Pancreatic Stellate Cells

“…The functioning of pancreatic β-cells, which perform a pivotal role in maintaining glucose homeostasis, is influenced by various factors including nutritional [1] [2] [3], metabolic [4] [5] and hormonal factors [6] [7] [8], as well as pancreatic inflammatory microenvironment [9] [10] [11] [12]. While islet functions are largely unruffled in healthy individuals, alterations in one or more of these factors cause considerable morbidity experienced in pancreatic disease that may be associated with fibrosis [13] [14] [15], resulting from inflammatory cells and activation of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs).…”