Universidad Miguel Hernández links excess glucagon to type 2 diabetes

Researchers at the Miguel Hernández University of Elche (UMH) have identified a link between aging, excess glucagon, and the development of type 2 diabetes. Led by Iván Quesada, the study suggests that aging alters the alpha cells of the pancreas, which are responsible for secreting glucagon.

While insulin helps lower blood glucose, glucagon raises it by prompting the liver to release glucose. The research, conducted on animal models, indicates that aging causes molecular and functional alterations in alpha cells, leading to excessive glucagon secretion. These issues are notably exacerbated in the presence of insulin resistance, where cells show signs of endoplasmic reticulum stress and loss of cellular identity.