Abstract

VELAZQUEZ-PANIAGUA, Mireya et al. Autophagy in pancreatic beta cells and its role in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Rev. Fac. Med. (Méx.) [online]. 2021, vol.64, n.6, pp.9-25.  Epub Feb 03, 2022. ISSN 2448-4865.  https://doi.org/10.22201/fm.24484865e.2021.64.6.02.

Autophagy is a crucial mechanism for the functioning and survival of pancreatic beta cells. Its dysregulation has been associated with obesity, insulin resistance, and glucose intolerance. Furthermore, decreased autophagy in insulin-secreting beta cells has been reported to contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), which constitutes about 95% of all diabetes cases and is a chronic metabolic disease that it currently affects millions of people around the world. In different models of rodents, whether diabetic or obese, it has been observed that treatment with autophagy enhancers lowers glucose levels, increases insulin sensitivity, and protects beta cells from apoptosis. As stated above, it has recently been proposed to carry out an early intervention in patients with T2DM, using drugs that promote autophagy, which could help preserve the mass of beta cells and prevent the progression of the disease. This review provides an overview of the importance of the physiological process of autophagy and its imminent role in the development of T2DM.

Keywords : Pancreatic beta cells; autophagy; cell death; diabetes mellitus type 2.

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