Iron and Beta-cell Function
Recent in vitro studies have shown that H-ferritin mRNA is four-to eightfold higher in rat islets treated with 20 mmol/l glucose than in islets treated with 1 mmol/l glucose.[27] The potential reason for the increased ferritin in the
-cell is that ferritin exhibits antioxidant properties and the
-cell is particularly sensitive to oxygen radicals. This high amount of ferritin can explain why iron is preferentially retained in the
-cell. In fact, iron deposition in islets, albeit variable, is restricted to
-cells.[28]
An increase in
-cell mass was demonstrated in a small number of nondiabetic or mildly diabetic patients with iron overload.[28] In agreement with this increase in
-cell mass, raised basal and stimulated C-peptide secretion were observed in type 2 diabetic patients with increased serum ferritin concentration. Furthermore, significantly lowered C-peptide secretion was found after phlebotomy-induced iron depletion, suggesting increased
-cell insulin sensitivity.[15]
Diabetes. 2002;51(8) © 2002 American Diabetes Association, Inc.
Cite this: Cross-Talk Between Iron Metabolism and Diabetes - Medscape - Aug 01, 2002.
