Marked expansion of exocrine and endocrine pancreas with incretin therapy in humans with increased exocrine pancreas dysplasia and the potential for glucagon-producing neuroendocrine tumors

Diabetes. 2013 Jul;62(7):2595-604. doi: 10.2337/db12-1686. Epub 2013 Mar 22.

Abstract

Controversy exists regarding the potential regenerative influences of incretin therapy on pancreatic β-cells versus possible adverse pancreatic proliferative effects. Examination of pancreata from age-matched organ donors with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) treated by incretin therapy (n = 8) or other therapy (n = 12) and nondiabetic control subjects (n = 14) reveals an ∼40% increased pancreatic mass in DM treated with incretin therapy, with both increased exocrine cell proliferation (P < 0.0001) and dysplasia (increased pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia, P < 0.01). Pancreata in DM treated with incretin therapy were notable for α-cell hyperplasia and glucagon-expressing microadenomas (3 of 8) and a neuroendocrine tumor. β-Cell mass was reduced by ∼60% in those with DM, yet a sixfold increase was observed in incretin-treated subjects, although DM persisted. Endocrine cells costaining for insulin and glucagon were increased in DM compared with non-DM control subjects (P < 0.05) and markedly further increased by incretin therapy (P < 0.05). In conclusion, incretin therapy in humans resulted in a marked expansion of the exocrine and endocrine pancreatic compartments, the former being accompanied by increased proliferation and dysplasia and the latter by α-cell hyperplasia with the potential for evolution into neuroendocrine tumors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma / pathology
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / drug therapy*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / pathology
  • Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperplasia
  • Incretins / pharmacology
  • Incretins / therapeutic use*
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / drug effects*
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors / pathology
  • Organ Size / drug effects
  • Pancreas / drug effects*
  • Pancreas / pathology
  • Pyrazines / pharmacology
  • Pyrazines / therapeutic use
  • Sitagliptin Phosphate
  • Triazoles / pharmacology
  • Triazoles / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors
  • Incretins
  • Pyrazines
  • Triazoles
  • Sitagliptin Phosphate