Relationship between fractional pancreatic beta cell area and fasting plasma glucose concentration in monkeys

Aims/hypothesis: We sought to establish the relationship between fasting plasma glucose concentrations and pancreatic fractional beta cell area in adult cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). Methods: Fasting plasma glucose and pancreatic fractional beta cell area were measured in 18 control and 17 streptozotocin-treated adult primates (17.0±1.2 vs 15.4±1.2 years old). Results: Fasting plasma glucose was increased (12.0±2.0 vs 3.4±0.1 mmol/l, p<0.01) and fractional beta cell area was decreased (0.62±0.13% vs 2.49±0.35%, p<0.01) in streptozotocin-treated monkeys. The relationship between fasting plasma glucose and pancreatic fractional beta cell area was described by a wide range of beta cell areas in controls. In streptozotocin-treated monkeys there was an inflection of fasting blood glucose at ∼ 50% of the mean beta cell area in controls with a steep increase in blood glucose for each further decrement in beta cell area. Conclusions/interpretation: In adult non-human primates a decrement in fractional beta cell area of ∼ 50% or more leads to loss of glycaemic control.