Role of Insulin in Health and Disease: An Update

• Main Authors: Md Saidur Rahman, Khandkar Shaharina Hossain, Sharnali Das, Sushmita Kundu, Elikanah Olusayo Adegoke, Md. Ataur Rahman, Md. Abdul Hannan, Md Jamal Uddin, Myung-Geol Pang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-06-01
• Series: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
• Subjects: insulin; health; disease; homeostasis; regulation; glucose
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/12/6403
• ISSN: 1661-6596; 1422-0067

Insulin is a polypeptide hormone mainly secreted by β cells in the islets of Langerhans of the pancreas. The hormone potentially coordinates with glucagon to modulate blood glucose levels; insulin acts via an anabolic pathway, while glucagon performs catabolic functions. Insulin regulates glucose levels in the bloodstream and induces glucose storage in the liver, muscles, and adipose tissue, resulting in overall weight gain. The modulation of a wide range of physiological processes by insulin makes its synthesis and levels critical in the onset and progression of several chronic diseases. Although clinical and basic research has made significant progress in understanding the role of insulin in several pathophysiological processes, many aspects of these functions have yet to be elucidated. This review provides an update on insulin secretion and regulation, and its physiological roles and functions in different organs and cells, and implications to overall health. We cast light on recent advances in insulin-signaling targeted therapies, the protective effects of insulin signaling activators against disease, and recommendations and directions for future research.