Effect of BPA on Insulin Secretion Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine disruptor that may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. Angel Nadal suspected that BPA disrupts insulin metabolism by activating an estrogen receptor on pancreatic islet cells. FIGURE 34.11 shows the results of one experiments. Cultured cells from human pancreatic islets were exposed either to BPA or to DPN, a chemical that binds to the estrogen receptor and activates it. Cells were then exposed to glucose, and their insulin Secretion was monitored.

FIGURE 34.11 Effects of BPA and DPN on glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. DPN is a chemical known to bind and activate estrogen receptors on pancreatic cells. A glucose concentration of 8 millimolar (mM) is equivalent to that of the blood after a meal.

How were the effects or DPN and BPA similar? How did they differ?

To determine: The similarity and differences of DPN and BPA treatment on insulin secretion of pancreatic cells.

Concept introduction:

Diabetes mellitus is a condition in the body that leads to metabolic disorders with high blood sugar levels. There are two types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes that seen among individuals. Here, the blood sugar level of body always remains elevated because of the impaired response of the target cells towards the insulin hormone, which helps to maintain the blood sugar level.

There are many foreign substances that act like activators and inhibitor molecules, which disrupt normal hormonal activities. One such chemical is bisphenol A (BPA) that acts like natural estrogen hormone and have an endocrine disrupting and diabetogenic activity.

BPA is a synthetic compound that is contained in epoxy resins and plastics, such as food containers, beverage bottles, and so on. Using different studies, the researchers have found that BPA directly acts on the pancreatic cells and increases the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. BPA activates the estrogen receptor that present in the pancreatic cells and disrupts the insulin secretion Diarylpropionitrile (DPN), which is a chemical that has similar effect as BPA. It can also bind and activate the estrogen receptor as BPA and affect the insulin secretion.

Refer Figure 34.11 “Effects of BPA and DPN on glucose-stimulated insulin secretion” in the textbook. In the given experiment, researchers focused to determine the effects of BPA on insulin secretion...