Protective effects of exenatide on RINm5f cell injury induced by palmitate

In this study, in vitro cultured islet RINm5f cells were used to observe effects of exenatide on the apoptosis induced by palmitate and explore its mechanism. MTT, AO/EB bi-label assay, flow cytometry and laser confocal microscope were applied for the observation of the cell proliferation, survival rate, apoptosis rate and morphological change. The results confirmed that the survival rate of cultured rat islet RINm5f cells treated with 250 μM palmitate for 24h was lower. Compared with the control group, the survival rate was higher, the apoptosis rate was lower and died cells and necrotic cells were less in exenatide groups. These facts indicate that exenatide can promote cell proliferation and improve rat islet cell apoptosis induced by palmitate, and promoting pancreatic B cell growth, increasing B cell volume, improving and restoring B cell function should be a new strategy used for the treatment of diabetes.