The Role of Amyloid in Type 2 Diabetes

How does amyloid in the pancreatic islets contribute tothe development and progression of type 2 diabetes?Also, does amyloid have a direct effect on beta cells?
-- Peter Hayden, MD
    Camdenton, MoThe deposition of amyloid in beta cells has the sameeffect as in other tissues. It disrupts the normalmolecular relationships in these cells, which resultsin abnormal functioning. In addition, it causesthe cells to age more quickly and to die earlier.This leads to a diminished capacity for secreting insulin.
-- Gerald Bernstein, MD
    Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine
    Albert Einstein College of Medicine
    New York