Pancreatic beta-cell maintenance by parasympathetic nerve

我们研究了乙酰胆碱（副交感神经的主要神经递质）在胰腺β细胞维持中的分子机制。胰腺β细胞系（MIN 6）和小鼠中的乙酰胆碱给药引起胰腺β细胞增殖。目前已知IRS-2、Akt和MAP激酶等分子在胰腺β细胞增殖机制中起重要作用。然而，乙酰胆碱能够独立于这些分子刺激胰腺β细胞增殖。在小鼠中，通过乙酰胆碱给药增加GLP-1分泌。这表明乙酰胆碱通过GLP-1引起β细胞增殖。

We investigated the molecular mechanism of acetylcholine which was the major neurotransmitter of the parasympathetic nerve, in pancreatic beta-cell maintenance. Pancreatic beta-cell proliferation was caused by the acetylcholine administration in pancreatic beta-cell line (MIN6) and mouse. It is known that the molecules such as IRS-2, Akt and MAPkinase, make the important role in mechanism of pancreatic beta-cell proliferation. However, acetylcholine was able to stimulate the pancreatic beta-cell proliferation independently of these molecules. GLP-1 secretion was increased by the acetylcholine administration in mouse. It was suggested that acetylcholine caused beta-cell proliferation through GLP-1.