Brain Cells Form Insulin-Producing Cells

Scientists from Stanford University in California have identified a method to induce brain-derived human neural progenitor cells to form insulin-producing cells (IPCs). In the April issue of Public Library of Science (PLoS) Medicine, Dr. Seung K. Kim and colleagues note that "islets and neurons share features, including common developmental programs, and in some species brain neurons are the principal source of systemic insulin."

The researchers observed that human neural progenitor cells, exposed to a series of chemical signals that normally regulate pancreatic islet development, form IPCs. Moreover, Dr. Kim told Reuters Health that "our tests show that these IPCs respond appropriately to glucose stimulation by releasing insulin."

Following transplantation into mice, IPCs released insulin C-peptide upon glucose stimulation, continued to produce insulin for several weeks, and did not form detectable tumors. However, the level of insulin production by IPCs is not yet sufficient to affect the mice or to rescue experimental diabetes, the authors emphasize.

"We are a long way from thinking about transplanting these IPCs in humans, and much work remains before we can consider this," Dr. Kim pointed out. "We are trying to identify methods to increase the islet-like features of IPCs, particularly their insulin production, insulin storage, and regulated insulin secretion."
PLoS Medicine 2005;2.

================================

DID YOU KNOW:
Study Shows Insulin Sensitivity Decreased with Two Days of Inactivity: In as little as two days of physical inactivity, a body’s efficient use of insulin may decrease, according a study published in the Journal of the Physiological Society, November 17, 2004. Past studies have indicated increases in human blood sugar and insulin as early as five days of inactivity, but these findings show that changes could be occurring even earlier in the muscle, Booth said.

Frank Booth, professor of biomedical science and director of the MU Health Activity Center, and David Kump, a doctoral student in the Department of Medical Pharmacology and Physiology, found that insulin sensitivity decreases the longer the rats stay inactive. This decreased insulin efficiency may be a precursor to diabetes and other related diseases.