Aims/hypothesis  

The enzyme hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) is produced and is active in pancreatic beta cells. Because lipids are known to play a crucial role in normal control of insulin release and in the deterioration of beta cell function, as observed in type 2 diabetes, actions of HSL in beta cells may be critical. This notion has been addressed in different lines of HSL knockout mice with contradictory results.

Methods  

To resolve this, we created a transgenic mouse lacking HSL specifically in beta cells, and characterised this model with regard to glucose metabolism and insulin secretion, using both in vivo and in vitro methods.

Results  

We found that fasting basal plasma glucose levels were significantly elevated in mice lacking HSL in beta cells. An IVGTT at 12 weeks revealed a blunting of the initial insulin response to glucose with delayed elimination of the sugar. Additionally, arginine-stimulated insulin secretion was markedly diminished in vivo. Investigation of the exocytotic response in single HSL-deficient beta cells showed an impaired response to depolarisation of the plasma membrane. Beta cell mass and islet insulin content were increased, suggesting a compensatory mechanism, by which beta cells lacking HSL strive to maintain normoglycaemia.

Conclusions/interpretation  

Based on these results, we suggest that HSL, which is located in close proximity of the secretory granules, may serve as provider of a lipid-derived signal essential for normal insulin secretion.