Striking the right balance

Beta cells are located in clusters in the pancreas and secrete a hormone called insulin that processes carbohydrates in the food to produce energy. When there is an imbalance in the secretion of insulin by the beta cells, the condition is called Type 2 Diabetes.

A recent research study published in the journal Nature Communications has found that a balance between the proportion of mature and immature beta cells restores insulin secretion in the body. Mature beta cells produce a high quantity of insulin but immature cells secrete insulin consistently in small quantities. The study has shown that having only mature beta cells reduces insulin secretion whereas a balance of both types of cells ensures sufficient insulin secretion. Further research studies are being carried to devise new ways to identify the balance of these beta cells in the body and beta-cell transplantation.