文摘
Glucose intolerance is the major cause of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In addition to peripheral insulin resistance, pancreatic beta cell dysfunction with reduced insulin secretion contributes to T2DM manifestation. The glucose sensor enzyme glucokinase is the key regulator in beta cells coupling an increase in blood glucose to insulin secretion. This demand-based insulin secretion is important for blood glucose homeostasis and cellular energy metabolism despite changing substrate availability from carbohydrates, fat and proteins. Supernutrition induces an imbalance in this control loop. Mitochondria are the pivotal organelles of cellular energy. The mitochondrial morphology is crucial to maintain their function and is by no means fixed but highly dynamic. Mitochondria form a tubular network in β-cells, which frequently undergoes fusion and fission events. Hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia promote maladjustment of the mitochondrial network, thus contributing to mitochondrial dysfunction and promoting T2DM.