Lipotoxic Stress Induces Pancreatic β-Cell Apoptosis through Modulation of Bcl-2 Proteins by the Ubiquitin-Proteasome System

Figure 7

Overexpression of Bcl-2 improves β-cell function during obesity. (a) Islets were obtained from wild-type C57BL/6 mice and RIP-Bcl-2 transgenic mice. Islets were then treated with 0.5 mM palmitate or 30 mM D-glucose for 5 days and subsequent levels of cell death were determined by FACS analysis. (b) Pancreas sections from wild-type and RIP-Bcl-2 mice fed on high fat for 16 weeks were stained for insulin (green), and quantification of islets from 5 mice per group is provided as percentage of islet area. BAR, 100 μm. (c) Pancreas sections from wild-type and RIP-Bcl-2 mice fed on high fat for 16 weeks were stained for ubiquitin. (d) IV-GTT results are shown in wild-type and RIP-Bcl-2 high fat fed mice. (e) Fasting (8 h) blood glucose levels of wild-type and RIP-Bcl-2 mice fed on high fat for 16 weeks. ; .

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)