Scientists from Tokyo Metropolitan University have discovered a possible reason why older adults are more likely to develop diabetes. Their research shows that as people age, they lose specific cells in the pancreas that help control blood sugar. This finding may help explain why diabetes becomes more common in older adults, especially women over 70.
The pancreas is an important organ that helps digest food and control blood sugar by producing insulin. Inside the pancreas, there are small clusters of cells called islets of Langerhans. These tiny groups of cells make hormones that regulate blood sugar. Although they make up only about 1% of the pancreas, any changes in them can have a big impact on health.
Led by Professor Shuang-Qin Yi, the research team studied pancreas samples from deceased individuals aged 65 to 104. None of these individuals had a history of pancreatic disease, making this study unique. The goal was to see how pancreatic islet cell loss (ICL) happens in otherwise healthy people.
To do this, the researchers examined thin sections of the pancreas under a microscope. They focused on four key types of cells: alpha, beta, delta, and PP cells.
The most striking finding was that beta cells—responsible for making insulin—were significantly reduced in older individuals. Since insulin helps keep blood sugar levels stable, losing these cells could contribute to diabetes in older adults.
The study also found a connection between ICL and microscopic lesions in the pancreas called pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasias (PanIN). These tiny abnormalities are often linked to pancreatic diseases. Interestingly, while ICL was common in elderly individuals, it appeared to be less severe in those who had reached very old age.
One of the most surprising findings was the gender difference. Women, particularly those over 70, were more likely to experience severe ICL. This matches data from the International Diabetes Federation, which has shown that women in this age group have a higher risk of diabetes than men.
These results suggest that losing beta cells as we age may be a major factor behind age-related diabetes. The research highlights the need to find ways to protect these cells in older adults, potentially leading to new treatments or preventive measures.
Understanding how aging affects different parts of the body is important in preventing diseases like diabetes. This study adds to growing research on how small cellular changes can have major effects on long-term health.
For those concerned about diabetes, other recent studies suggest that not all whole grain foods are beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes, while green tea may help reduce the risk of death in those with the condition.
Additionally, research has linked unhealthy plant-based diets to metabolic syndrome, while the Mediterranean diet has been shown to reduce diabetes risk by one-third.
The full study was published in Digestive and Liver Disease.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about Vitamin D and type 2 diabetes, and what you need to know about avocado and type 2 diabetes.
For more information about diabetes, please see recent studies about how to eat to prevent type 2 diabetes, and 5 vitamins that may prevent complication in diabetes.
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