Differential effects of chronic pulsatile versus chronic constant maternal hyperglycemia on fetal pancreatic ?-cells.
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Constant maternal hyperglycemia limits, while pulsatile maternal hyperglycemia may enhance, fetal glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) in sheep. However, the impact of such different patterns of hyperglycemia on the development of the fetal ?-cell is unknown. We measured the impact of one week of chronic constant hyperglycemia (CHG, n = 6) versus pulsatile hyperglycemia (PHG, n = 5) versus controls (n = 7) on the percentage of the fetal pancreas staining for insulin (?-cell area), mitotic and apoptotic indices and size of fetal ?-cells, and fetal insulin secretion in sheep. Baseline insulin concentrations were higher in CHG fetuses (P < 0.05) compared to controls and PHG. GSIS was lower in the CHG group (P < 0.005) compared to controls and PHG. PHG ?-cell area was increased 50% (P < 0.05) compared to controls and CHG. CHG ?-cell apoptosis was increased over 400% (P < 0.05) compared to controls and PHG. These results indicate that late gestation constant maternal hyperglycemia leads to significant ?-cell toxicity (increased apoptosis and decreased GSIS). Furthermore, pulsatile maternal hyperglycemia increases pancreatic ?-cell area but did not increase GSIS, indicating decreased ?-cell responsiveness. These findings demonstrate differential effects that the pattern of maternal hyperglycemia has on fetal pancreatic ?-cell development, which might contribute to later life limitation in insulin secretion.
SUBMITTER: Frost MS
PROVIDER: S-EPMC3486011 | biostudies-literature | 2012
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
ACCESS DATA