Effects of metformin on oxidative stress, adenine nucleotides balance, and glucose-induced insulin release impaired by chronic free fatty acids exposure in rat pancreatic islets.

Background: In rat pancreatic islets, chronic exposure to high free fatty acid (FFA) levels impairs insulin secretion and β cell mass. The mechanisms underlying this defect are not completely understood. Since islets have intrinsically low anti-oxidant enzyme defense, oxidative stress might be responsible for β cell damage. Aim: In this study, we investigated if FFA could induce oxidative stress in rat pancreatic islets and if metformin might...