Imbalance of cellular bioenergetics in pancreatic beta-cells links to type 2 diabetes

While impaired activation of mitochondrial energy metabolism in the presence of glucose has been demonstrated in pancreatic beta-cells from patients with type 2 diabetes, the cause of this dysfunction has been unknown. New research shows that in patients with type 2 diabetes, the balance between supply and demand of the mitochondrial membrane potential is altered causing a decrease in the signaling that turns on insulin secretion.