n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and insulin secretion
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2R3
- Correspondence should be addressed to C B Chan; Email: cbchan{at}ualberta.ca
Abstract
n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are a subgroup of fatty acids with broad health benefits, such as lowering blood triglycerides and decreasing the risk of some types of cancer. A beneficial effect of n-3 PUFAs in diabetes is indicated by results from some studies. Defective insulin secretion is a fundamental pathophysiological change in both types 1 and 2 diabetes. Emerging studies have provided evidence of a connection between n-3 PUFAs and improved insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells. This review summarizes the recent findings in this regard and discusses the potential mechanisms by which n-3 PUFAs influence insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells.
- Received in final form 28 November 2014
- Accepted 8 December 2014
- Made available online as an Accepted Preprint 8 December 2014
- © 2015 Society for Endocrinology
