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Two other mechanisms have been suggested for beta-cell failure.
When the capacity of beta-cells to produce the insulin
becomes maximized and the need for insulin continues to
increase, the demand may simply exceed the capacity. If
so hyperglycemia will worsen. Furthermore, experimental
studies have shown that exposure of beta-cells to
hyperglycemia per se will downregulate the
glucose sensing mechanisms of the beta cells. Thus an
alternative mechanism explaining why beta-cell failure
may occur is that it is a result of desensitization due
to to glycemia (Glucotoxicity hypothesis).
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