Supplement of TCA cycle intermediates protects against high glucose/palmitate-induced INS-1 beta cell death

► High concentration of glucose augmented palmitate-induced INS-1 cell death. ► Level of TCA cycle intermediates was declined in HG/PA-treated INS-1 cell. ► Stimulators of fatty acid oxidation protected HG/PA-induced INS-1 cell death. ► Supplement of TCA cycle intermediates protected HG/PA-induced INS-1 cell death. ► Knockdown of glutamate dehydrogenase augmented glucolipotoxicity. ► Knockdown of mitochondrial tricarboxylate carrier attenuated glucolipotoxicity.