Openers of ATP-dependent K + -channels protect against a signal-transduction-linked and not freely reversible defect of insulin secretion in a rat islet transplantation model of Type 2 diabetes

We tested whether chronic overstimulation by levels of hyperglycaemia commonly found in Type 2 diabetes can irreversibly desensitise beta cells and, if so, whether desensitisation relates to the reduction of insulin content and/or the number of beta cells.We transplanted islets from Wistar-Furth rats under the kidney capsule to neonatally streptozotocinised recipients. Recipients received daily vehicle, diazoxide (100 mg/kg) or the selective...