Intravital imaging of islet Ca2+ dynamics reveals enhanced β cell connectivity after bariatric surgery in mice

Bariatric surgery improves both insulin sensitivity and secretion and can induce diabetes remission. However, the mechanisms and time courses of these changes, particularly the impact on beta cell function, are difficult to monitor directly. In this study, we investigated the effect of Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG) on beta cell function in vivo by imaging Ca2+ dynamics in islets engrafted into the anterior eye chamber. Mirroring its clinical utility, VSG in mice results in significantly improved glucose tolerance, and enhanced insulin secretion. We reveal that these benefits are underpinned by augmented beta cell function and coordinated activity across the islet. These effects involve changes in circulating GLP-1 levels which may act both directly and indirectly on the beta cell, in the latter case through changes in body weight. Thus, bariatric surgery leads to time-dependent increases in beta cell function and intra-islet connectivity which are likely to contribute to diabetes remission. Bariatric surgery procedures reduce weight and improve metabolic diseases. Here the authors investigate the effects of Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG) on beta-cell function in mice using in vivo Ca2 + imaging and show that VSG increases beta-cell function and intra-islet connectivity.

Automated summary

The study demonstrates that bariatric surgery, specifically Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG), improves diabetes by enhancing beta-cell function and intra-islet connectivity, potentially through changes in circulating GLP-1 levels.