Abstract
OBJECTIVE - We sought to establish β-cell mass, β-cell apoptosis, and β-cell replication in humans in response to obesity and advanced age. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - We examined human autopsy pancreas from 167 nondiabetic individuals 20-102 years of age. The effect of obesity on β-cell mass was examined in 53 lean and 61 obese subjects, and the effect of aging was examined in 106 lean subjects. RESULTS - β-Cell mass is increased by ∼50%with obesity (from 0.8 to 1.2 g). With advanced aging, the exocrine pancreas undergoes atrophy but β-cell mass is remarkably preserved. There is minimal β-cell replication or apoptosis in lean humans throughout life with no detectable changes with obesity or advanced age. CONCLUSIONS - β-Cell mass in human obesity increases by ∼50% by an increase in β-cell number, the source of which is unknown. β-Cell mass is well preserved in humans with advanced aging.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 111-117 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Diabetes care |
Volume | 36 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 2013 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Internal Medicine
- Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
- Advanced and Specialized Nursing