Loss of arginine vasopressin- and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-containing neurons and glial cells in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of individuals with type 2 diabetes.

The central pacemaker of the mammalian biological timing system is located within the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in the anterior hypothalamus. Together with the peripheral clocks, this central brain clock ensures a timely, up-to-date and proper behaviour for an individual throughout the day-night cycle. A mismatch between the central and peripheral clocks results in a disturbance of daily rhythms in physiology and behaviour. It is known that the number of rhythmically expressed genes is reduced in peripheral tissue of individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, it is not known whether the central SCN clock is also affected in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. In the current study, we compared the profiles of the SCN neurons and glial cells between type 2 diabetic and control individuals.

Pubmed ID: 31327049