Abstract: As one of the most sensitive cells of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), pancreatic β-cells have an abundance of endoplasmic reticulum. Fatty acids cause apoptosis of β-cells and might contribute to β-cell loss in type 2 diabetes via the induction of ERS. Glucose is an amplifier of the ERS response to fatty acid, leading to increased β-cell apoptosis. ERS response is mediate to glucolipotoxicity-induced β-cell apoptosis.

Key words: endoplasmic reticulum stress, glucolipotoxicity, β-cell apoptosis