Mathematical models of electrical activity of the pancreatic beta-cell: a physiological review

Mathematical modeling of the electrical activity of the pancreatic beta-cell has been extremely important for understanding the cellular mechanisms involved in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Several models have been proposed over the last 30 y, growing in complexity as experimental evidence of the cellular mechanisms involved has become available. Almost all the models have been developed based on experimental data from rodents. However, given the many important differences between species, models of human beta-cells have recently been developed. This review summarizes how modeling of beta-cells has evolved, highlighting the proposed physiological mechanisms underlying beta-cell electrical activity.