Lessons from basic pancreatic beta cell research in type-2 diabetes and vascular complications

The changes in life-style with increased access of food and reduced physical activity have resulted in the global epidemic of obesity. Consequently, individuals with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease have also escalated. A central organ in the development of diabetes is the pancreas, and more specifically the pancreatic beta cells within the islets of Langerhans. Beta cells have been assigned the important task of secreting insulin when...