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Beta-cell replication is the primary mechanism subserving the postnatal expansion of beta-cell mass in humans.
- Source :
-
Diabetes [Diabetes] 2008 Jun; Vol. 57 (6), pp. 1584-94. Date of Electronic Publication: 2008 Mar 11. - Publication Year :
- 2008
-
Abstract
- Objective: Little is known about the capacity, mechanisms, or timing of growth in beta-cell mass in humans. We sought to establish if the predominant expansion of beta-cell mass in humans occurs in early childhood and if, as in rodents, this coincides with relatively abundant beta-cell replication. We also sought to establish if there is a secondary growth in beta-cell mass coincident with the accelerated somatic growth in adolescence.<br />Research Design and Methods: To address these questions, pancreas volume was determined from abdominal computer tomographies in 135 children aged 4 weeks to 20 years, and morphometric analyses were performed in human pancreatic tissue obtained at autopsy from 46 children aged 2 weeks to 21 years.<br />Results: We report that 1) beta-cell mass expands by severalfold from birth to adulthood, 2) islets grow in size rather than in number during this transition, 3) the relative rate of beta-cell growth is highest in infancy and gradually declines thereafter to adulthood with no secondary accelerated growth phase during adolescence, 4) beta-cell mass (and presumably growth) is highly variable between individuals, and 5) a high rate of beta-cell replication is coincident with the major postnatal expansion of beta-cell mass.<br />Conclusions: These data imply that regulation of beta-cell replication during infancy plays a major role in beta-cell mass in adult humans.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1939-327X
- Volume :
- 57
- Issue :
- 6
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Diabetes
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 18334605
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.2337/db07-1369