Question

Go to the WCU Library and search the database for the following article. Read the article, and then answer the questions that follow:

Soriano S., Alonso-Magdalena P., Garcıa-Arevalo M., Novials A., & Muhammed S. J. (2012). Rapid insulinotropic action of low doses of Bisphenol-A on mouse and human islets of langerhans: Role of estrogen receptor b. PLoS ONE 7(2): e31109. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0031109

1. What are the causes of type 2 diabetes?
2. What is the relationship between insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia?
3. What are endocrine disrupters and what are their functions in our body? Provide some examples.
4. How does concentration of glucose effect insulin secretion?
5. Explain how data from article support or refute the hypothesis that endocrine disrupters can change insulin secretion.

Answer 1

Ans) Main causes of Type 2 diabetes:
Type 2 diabetes develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin or when the pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin. Exactly why this happens is unknown, although genetics and environmental factors, such as being overweight and inactive, seem to be contributing factors.

- Hyperinsulinemia is most often caused by insulin resistance — a condition in which your body doesn't respond well to the effects of insulin. Pancreas tries to compensate by making more insulin. Insulin resistance may eventually lead to the development of type 2 diabetes.

- Endocrine disruptors can: Mimic or partly mimic naturally occurring hormones in the body like estrogens (the female sex hormone), androgens (the male sex hormone), and thyroid hormones, potentially producing overstimulation. Bind to a receptor within a cell and block the endogenous hormone from binding.

- Insulin helps the cells absorb glucose, reducing blood sugar and providing the cells with glucose for energy. When blood sugar levels are too low, the pancreas releases glucagon. Glucagon instructs the liver to release stored glucose, which causes blood sugar to rise.

- Bisphenol-A triggered secretion of insulin from the islets of Langerhans by a considerable amount that facilitates a conclusion that is in support of the hypothesis that endocrine disruptors can change insulin secretion.