Review

Mathematical models for insulin secretion in pancreatic β-cells

Volume 4, Issue 2   March/April 2012
Pages 94 - 107
http://dx.doi.org/10.4161/isl.19569
Keywords: bursting electrical activity, gap-junction coupling, glucose metabolism, insulin secretion, mathematical model, pancreatic β-cell, paracrine interaction
Authors: Kyungreem Han, Hyuk Kang, Jinwoong Kim and MooYoung Choi

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Abstract:
Insulin secretion is one of the most characteristic features of β-cell physiology. As it plays a central role in glucose regulation, a number of experimental and theoretical studies have been performed since the discovery of the pancreatic β-cell. This review article aims to give an overview of the mathematical approaches to insulin secretion. Beginning with the bursting electrical activity in pancreatic β-cells, we describe effects of the gap-junction coupling between β-cells on the dynamics of insulin secretion. Then, implications of paracrine interactions among such islet cells as α-, β-, and δ-cells are discussed. Finally, we present mathematical models which incorporate effects of glycolysis and mitochondrial glucose metabolism on the control of insulin secretion.

Received: October 12, 2011; Accepted: February 2, 2012

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