Islet amyloid polypeptide/amylin contents in pancreata increase in genetically obese and diabetic mice.

To search for a possible relationship between islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP)/amylin and the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus, we examined IAPP contents in the pancreata of genetically obese and diabetic mice (C57BL/6J ob/ob and KK mice), at 24 weeks of age, using a specific radioimmunoassay. IAPP and insulin contents were noticeably increased in the ob/ob mice with marked obesity and moderate hyperglycemia. These contents slightly, but significantly increased in the KK mice with mild obesity and hyperglycemia. Thus, IAPP production is possibly influenced by factors coded by mutant genes and a possible relationship between IAPP and hyperglycemia in the strains of mice deserves further attention.