P2X Receptors and Diabetes

Title:P2X Receptors and Diabetes

Volume: 22 Issue: 7

Author(s): Carmen Fotino, Andrea Vergani, Paolo Fiorina and Antonello Pileggi

Affiliation:

Keywords: Beta cell, diabetes, extracellular ATP, inflammation, islets, islet immunity, metabolic syndrome, Purinergic receptors, P2X, type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes.

Abstract: Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by elevation of glucose levels in the blood that develops in humans as a result of genetic predisposition and environmental factors. Unbalanced glycemic control has been associated with the development of progressive and debilitating complications that dramatically affect the quality of life and life expectancy of people with diabetes. The purinergic system represents a widely diffused signaling pathway in mammalian cells of different tissues where it plays critical roles in both physiological and pathological conditions. Herein we review the increasing evidence supporting that the purinergic system plays an important role in the multiple facets of diabetes, including its physiopathology and complications. We also discuss the potential relevance of the purinergic pathway for diagnosis and treatment of diabetes.

Cite this article as:

Fotino Carmen, Vergani Andrea, Fiorina Paolo and Pileggi Antonello, P2X Receptors and Diabetes, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2015; 22 (7) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0929867321666141012173520