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CONFERENCE REPORT
SA JOURNAL OF DIABETES & VASCULAR DISEASE
Beta-cell death and the
mitochondrial permeability
transition pore
Dr Sandrine Lablanche was awarded the Lilly
Award (2012) for Best Research and Lecture.
Her very interesting presentation concerned
the involvement of the mitochondrial per-
meability transition pore (PTP) and pan-
creatic beta-cell death.
She presented fascinating research on
the issue of pancreatic beta-cell death on
transplant, with 30% beta-cell loss at the
time of transplantation. It appears that the
mitochondrial PTP plays an important role
in this. This mitochondrial PTP also seems
to be involved in glucose toxicity. Opening
of the pore is increased by calcium, radical
oxygen species and adenine, and inhibited
by cyclosporin and metformin, even in the
presence of high glucose concentrations.
Ischaemia and reperfusion tend to
increase the opening of the mitochondrial
PTP, leading to beta-cell death. It has been
shown in animal studies of isolated beta-
cells that pre-treatment with metformin
and cyclosporin could prevent ischaemic
reperfusion damage to the beta-cells. Other
factors that may affect pore opening include
N-acetyl-cysteine (prevents opening) and
oxidative stress.
Current researchis investigatingimproving
the survival of beta-cells in transplantation
for type 1 diabetes patients. Consideration
will be given for research to investigate pre-
treatment with metformin or cyclosporin in
improving beta-cell survival. Further research
is clearly necessary in this very interesting
area of beta-cell transplant and improving
survival of the transplanted cells.
Landi Lombard
Diabetic foot ad 5/25/12 11:23 AM Page 1
C M Y CM MY CY CMY K
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:
Release of block accommodation reservations:
26 June 2012
Closing date for early registration:
26 June 2012
7th Joint EASD/ADA/IDF
Advanced Clinical Postgraduate Course
in the Management of Diabetes and its Complications
IN CONJUNCTION WITH
the Diabetic Foot Working Group of SA (DFWG)
AND 1st Pan-African Diabetic Foot Study Group
Please vi s i t the webs i te on
ht tp://www.easddiabet icfoot2012.co.za
for ful l detai l s
SPIER ESTATE
STELLENBOSCH
Pan-African
Diabetic Foot Study
Group
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