Beta cells, islet mechanism

More direct interference with glucose metabolism cannot be excluded. Interferon alfa can reduce the sensitivity of peripheral tissues or liver to insulin and accelerate the destruction of stimulated pancreatic beta-cells (540,541) this could be a possible mechanism in patients not exhibiting islet cell antibodies. This is also in keeping with rare instances of induction or exacerbation of type II noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus (SEDA-19, 335). 

A specific example of this type of control system is seen in the case of the interrelated roles of cholecystokinin 8-sulfate (CCK8S) and glucose in the regulation of insulin secretion from the beta cell of the Islets of Langerhans (Fig. 5). Each of these extracellular messengers stimulates insulin secretion under the appropriate conditions, but each does so by different mechanisms, allowing for a considerable range of responsiveness [28,29]. 

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