p8 is a novel intracellular mediator of pancreatic beta cell protection that preserves insulin secretory function during inflammatory stress in vivo

Introduction: A current hypothesis considers type 2 diabetes as a result of over nutrition-induced local inflammation leading to insulin resistance, insulin secretory dysfunction and finally pancreatic beta cell loss. The intracellular protein p8 has been shown to reduce tissue damage during acute pancreatitis. To investigate its role in the endocrine pancreas we generated transgenic mice with beta cell-specific p8 overexpression (Tg). Methods: Mice were fed a high fat diet, and insulitis was induced by multiple low-dose STZ injections. Glucose tolerance was evaluated by measuring non-fasting random blood glucos…