R&D Systems offers a range of quality products to study biological processes underlying diabetes, including glucose transport, insulin signaling, and inflammation.
Type I Diabetes
Type I diabetes, also known as insulin-dependent (IDDM) or juvenile diabetes, is usually due to autoimmune attack of β-islet cells in the pancreas. It can also be idiopathic and there is increasing evidence of a viral etiology. The normal function of β-islet cells is to produce insulin in response to elevated blood glucose, which in turn promotes the conversion of glucose into glycogen polymers for storage. Destruction of β-islet cells prevents insulin production and subsequently manifests as hyperglycemia.
Genetic susceptibility genes for type I diabetes have been identified and include IDDM1, which codes for a MCH II complex that is displayed on the surface of β-islet cells. Certain polymorphisms of this gene result in the display of improper antigens on the surface of β-cells, leading to their targeting for destruction by T-cells.
Type II Diabetes
Type II diabetes, also known as non-insulin-dependent (NIDDM) or obesity-related diabetes, is characterized by insulin resistance and a loss of insulin sensitivity. Insulin levels may be increased (hyperinsulinemia) or decreased (hypoinsulinemia). Other factors that contribute include decreased activity of glucose transporters, increased hepatic glucose production and delayed β-cell sensitivity to hyperglycemia. The etiology of type II diabetes is unknown, but it is associated with obesity (particularly central obesity), sedentary lifestyle, high sugar diet, total body irradiation (a cancer treatment), hypertension and increasing age.
Pharmacological Interventions
First line treatment for type I diabetes is insulin replacement therapy. Type II diabetes is initially treated by attempts to maintain glycemic control with diet modifications. Pharmacological interventions, such as metformin, are used later. Diabetic complications are prevalent and uncontrolled so there is intense interest in developing pharmacological agents that allow better management of this condition. Novel antidiabetic treatments include fibroblast growth factor-21 analogs, renal sodium-glucose transporter inhibitors, free fatty acid receptor ligands, dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibitors and more.
Adipokines & Insulin Signaling Pathways
Signaling through the insulin pathway is fundamental for the regulation of intracellular glucose levels. This pathway can become dysregulated in diabetes.
- Adiponectin & Type 2 Diabetes
- Akt Pathway
- Autoimmunity
- Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
- FGF-21: From Cloning to Clinic
- GFRALis A Novel GDF-15 Receptor with a Putative Role in Appetite Disorders
- Glucose Homeostasis
- Glycated Insulin
- Growth Hormone/IGF-I Axis
- Interactive Pathway: Adipocytokines & Insulin Signaling
- Interactive Pathway: Renin - Angiotensin Pathways
- Kidney Cell Markers
- Klotho Proteins: Novel Cofactors for Endocrine FGFs
- Metabolism
- Mouse Obesity Antibody Array
- New Tools: Recombinant Proteases of the Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS)
- Obesity
- Obesity-Induced Activation of the Nlrp3 Inflammasome Promotes Insulin Resistance
- Quantikine ELISA Kit for Measuring High Molecular Weight Adiponectin
- Recombinant Human Wnt-5b