Glutamate dehydrogenase, insulin secretion and Type 2 Diabetes. A new means to protect the pancreatic β-cell?

In English In this issue of Journal of Endocrinology, Dr Han and colleagues report a protective effect of the glutamate dehydrogenase-activator BCH under diabetes-like conditions that impair β-cell function in both a pancreatic β-cell line and in db/db mice. Based on these observations, the authors suggest that BCH could serve as novel treatment modality in Type 2 Diabetes. The present commentary discusses the importance of the findings. Some additional questions are raised, that may be addressed in future investigations, as is some concern regarding BCH treatment of β-cell failure.