Analysis of age-associated changes in beta cell function and metabolism through live single-cell imaging

 描述(由申请人提供)：年龄越大，糖耐量受损和2型糖尿病的风险越高。由于这些疾病本身就是与重大发病率和死亡率相关的疾病的危险因素，因此迫切需要新的方法来维持老年人的血糖稳态。尽管β细胞功能障碍被认为是老年人糖稳态紊乱的一个促成因素，但在老年人中出现的β细胞缺陷的性质还没有得到仔细的研究。因此，这项拟议研究的目标是确定随着年龄和肥胖而出现的β细胞缺陷的确切性质，并了解这些缺陷是否可以通过延长健康寿命的已知干预措施来缓解。

 DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Advancing age is associated with an increased risk of impaired glucose tolerance and the development of type 2 diabetes. Because these disorders are themselves risk factors for diseases associated with significant morbidity and mortality, new approaches to maintain glucose homeostasis in the aged are urgently needed. Although beta cell dysfunction has been implicated as a contributing factor to disordered glucose homeostasis in the aged, the nature of the beta cell defects that emerge in older individuals has not been carefully studied. Thus, the objective of the proposed study is to identify the precise nature of the beta cell defects that emerge with age and obesity, and gain insight as to whether these defects can be mitigated by known interventions that extend healthspan.