fat cells release a protein that aids insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells

http://www.diabetesincontrol.com/res...ryarticle=5270
The body's fat cells help the pancreas do its job of secreting insulin,
according to new research. This previously unrecognized process ultimately
could lead to new methods to improve glucose metabolism in type 2 diabetic
or insulin-resistant people.
In a study scientists report that fat cells release a protein that aids
insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells, which are the sole source of
insulin. The protein is an enzyme that the pancreatic cells themselves
produce in only minimal amounts. The enzyme works to enhance
glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells.

The researchers assert that the enzyme secreted by fat cells, called Nampt,
is an important component of the insulin-secretion pathway. "We think this
secretion process allows fat cells to communicate with the pancreas and aid
its function," says senior author Shin-ichiro Imai, M.D., Ph.D., assistant
professor of medicine and of molecular biology and pharmacology. "I suspect
this process could be critical for compensating pancreatic beta cell
function in the face of increasing insulin resistance."

Revollo JR, Körner A, Mills KF, Satoh A, Wang T, Garten A, Dasgupta B,
Sasaki Y, Wolberger C, Townsend RR, Milbrandt J, Kiess W, Imai S.
Nampt/PBEF/visfatin regulates insulin secretion in beta cells as a systemic
NAD biosynthetic enzyme. Cell Metabolism. November 7, 2007.

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