Alpha Cell Dysfunction in Type 1 Diabetes

Author

Gina L.C. Yosten, Missouri University of Science and TechnologyFollow

Abstract

Type 1 diabetes is characterized by selective loss of beta cells and insulin secretion, which significantly impact glucose homeostasis. However, this progressive disease is also associated with dysfunction of the alpha cell component of the islet, which can exacerbate hyperglycemia due to paradoxical hyperglucagonemia or lead to severe hypoglycemia as a result of failed counterregulation. In this review, the physiology of alpha cell secretion and the potential mechanisms underlying alpha cell dysfunction in type 1 diabetes will be explored. Because type 1 diabetes is a progressive disease, a synthesized timeline of aberrant alpha cell function will be presented as an attempt to delineate the natural history of type 1 diabetes with respect to the alpha cell.

Recommended Citation

G. L. Yosten, "Alpha Cell Dysfunction in Type 1 Diabetes," Peptides, vol. 100, pp. 54 - 60, Elsevier, Feb 2018.

The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.peptides.2017.12.001

Department(s)

Biological Sciences

Keywords and Phrases

Alpha cell; Glucagon; Hyperglycemia; Hypoglycemia; Type 1 diabetes

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

1873-5169; 0196-9781

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2025 Elsevier, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Feb 2018

PubMed ID

29412832