The role of lipid droplets in the emergence of diabetes mellitus type 2

Abstract

The increased incidence of diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2T) all over the world and in Russia in particular, indicates a lack of effectiveness of antidiabetic therapy and suggests the existence of gaps in the understanding of the mechanisms of onset and clinical course of this disease as well as a concomitant lack of effectiveness of antidiabetic therapy. It is known that metabolic disorders that cause DM2T are caused by disturbances in mitochondrial activity resulting in increased cellular fatty acid inclusions and insulin resistance. The present review presents the current state of knowledge about new cellular structures, fat inclusions or, using a more conventional term, lipid droplets (LDs), as a pathological feature accompanying the occurrence of DM2T. The review describes the biochemical and functional characteristics of LDs and their possible role in the onset and development of diabetes. The interrelationship of LDs and mitochondria and the effect of LDs on the nervous system are considered. Particular attention is paid to highlighting the effect of the microbiota of the gastrointestinal tract on the dynamics of the emergence of LDs. The GIT microbiota plays an important role in the development and course of many human diseases associated with metabolic disorders. Further knowledge of the relationship between the gastrointestinal microbiota and the dynamics of LD emergence will uncover new aspects of the molecular mechanism of mitochondrial function, which gives the prospect of preventive approaches in the treatment of obesity, metabolic disorders and diabetes.

Keywords

• diabetes mellitus
• fatty inclusions
• lipid droplets
• mitochondria
• microbiota
• insulin
• metabolic disease