GSK-3 beta mediates dexamethasone-induced pancreatic beta cell apoptosis

摘要

Aims: Glucocorticoids, such as dexamethasone, are widely used anti-inflammatory drugs. Their use is frequently associated with the development of steroid-associated diabetes. Pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction has been suggested to be one of the main causes of steroid-associated diabetes. However, the mechanism is not fully understood. Glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3 beta) is a multifunctional serine/threonine kinase and plays an important role in energy metabolism, cell growth and apoptosis. Therefore, the contribution of GSK-3 beta in dexamethasone-induced pancreatic beta-cell apoptosis was determined in the present study.