Figure 4.

Mechanisms of MC in protecting islet β cells. MC agents promote L-cell allosterism and proliferation through TAS2R or PLC-β2 and depolarize L cells to elevate the secretion of GLP-1, which can improve β-cell proliferation and insulin secretion. In addition, MC agents inhibit 11β-HSD1, decreasing local glucocorticoid aggregation, to ameliorate GSIS and β cells. On the other hand, MC agents upregulate insulin and Pdx1 genes, raise serum TAOC, pancreatic GSH, and lower pancreatic MDA to mitigate β-cell damage and enhance pancreatic function.