Fig. 2

Pathological mechanism of DM induced by the P2X7–NLRP3–IL-1β pathway. Chronic hyperglycemia stimulates the activation of the P2X7–NLRP3 inflammasome, resulting in the excessive release of proinflammatory factor IL-1β. By inducing pancreatic β cell dysfunction and death, IL-1β can reduce insulin secretion, impair the insulin signal pathway, and aggravate hyperglycemia. In addition, IL-1β accelerates the development of insulin resistance, and with the decrease of insulin sensitivity, the cellular uptake and utilization of glucose are reduced, hyperglycemia is further aggravated, and diabetes is finally induced