Cyclical and Alternating Infusions of Glucose and Intralipid in Rats Inhibit Insulin Gene Expression and Pdx-1 Binding in Islets

Abstract

Cyclical and alternating infusions of glucose and Intralipid in normal rats inhibit insulin gene expression without affecting insulin secretion or beta-cell mass. We conclude that fatty acid inhibition of insulin gene expression, in the presence of high glucose, is an early functional defect that may contribute to beta-cell failure in type 2 diabetes.