Synthesis and Testing of Beta-Cell-Specific Streptozotocin-Derived Near-Infrared Imaging Probes

摘要

Pancreatic beta-cells are responsible for the production and release of insulin, a hormone that controls the level of glucose in the blood. Beta-cell mass is markedly reduced in both insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent diabetes melli-tus. The noninvasive estimation of beta-cell mass by imaging would have a significant impact on the management of clinical diabetes, pancreas- and/or islet-cell transplantation, and the understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease. Currently, measurements of insulin secretion and c-peptide production serve as surrogates for the assessment of beta-cell function.