Vitamin D induces autophagy of pancreatic -cells and enhances insulin secretion

Epidemiological evidence indicates that vitamin D is involved in defense against diabetes; however, the precise underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated. In the present study, the effect of vitamin D on the pathogenesis of diabetes was investigated, with an emphasis on its direct effect on pancreatic -cells. A streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) mouse model and MIN6 mouse insulinoma -cells were subjected to vitamin D treatment. Histopathological analysis of pancreatic islets was performed to investigate insulitis, and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting were used to determine the mRNA and protein expression levels of markers of autophagy [microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3) and Beclin 1] and regulation of apoptosis [B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2)]. Apoptosis of MIN6 cells was examined by flow cytometry following annexin V/propidium iodide labeling. The secretion of insulin was measured by ELISA. The results revealed that vitamin D reduced the incidence of T1DM, enhanced insulin secretion and relieved pancreatic inflammation in STZ-treated mice. Furthermore, vitamin D increased the mRNA expression levels of LC3 and Beclin 1, and increased Bcl-2 protein expression levels in STZ-treated MIN6 cells, while decreasing the apoptosis rate. The results of the present study demonstrated, for the first time to the best of our knowledge, that vitamin D induces autophagy and suppresses apoptosis of pancreatic -cells, as well as preventing insulitis. These findings regarding vitamin D provide insights into its involvement in diabetes, and suggest a potential novel strategy for the treatment of diabetes via agents enhancing autophagy in pancreatic -cells.