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Metformin plays a dual role in MIN6 pancreatic β cell function through AMPK-dependent autophagy

Jiang Y, Huang W, Wang J, Xu Z, He J, Lin X, Zhou Z, Zhang J

International journal of biological sciences, 2014

Abstract

Metformin improves insulin sensitivity in insulin sensitive tissues such as liver, muscle and fat. However, the functional roles and the underlying mechanism of metformin action in pancreatic β cells remain elusive. Here we show that, under normal growth condition, metformin suppresses MIN6 β cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis via an AMPK-dependent and autophagy-mediated mechanism. On the other hand, metformin protects MIN6 cells against palmitic acid (PA)-induced apoptosis. Our findings indicate that metformin plays a dual role in β cell survival and overdose of this anti-diabetic drug itself may lead to potential β cell toxicity.

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