Tumor-like features of gene expression and metabolic profiles in enlarged pancreatic islets are associated with impaired incretin-induced insulin secretion in obese diabetes: A study of Zucker fatty diabetes mellitus rat.

The enlarged islets of Zucker fatty diabetes mellitus rats, which are defective for IIIS, show tumor cell-like metabolic features, including a dedifferentiated state, accelerated aerobic glycolysis and impaired mitochondrial function. The age-dependent increase in such islets could contribute to the pathophysiology of obese diabetes.