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Another Cause of Type 2 Diabetes Found

Posted on: Thursday, 30 August 2007, 09:19 CDT

U.S. scientists have discovered a third abnormality that might play a role in the development of obesity-induced type 2 diabetes.

In cases of type 2 diabetes, the body's cells fail to appropriately regulate blood glucose levels. Previous research suggested that results from two simultaneous problems: the improper functioning of pancreatic beta cells and the impairment of insulin's actions on target tissues, including the liver, fat and muscles.

In the new study, scientists at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and the Oregon Health & Science University identified a previously unrecognized role for glucose-sensing neurons in the onset of the disease.

For many years we've known subpopulations of neurons in the brain become 'excited' by glucose, said Dr. Bradford Lowell, a Harvard Medical School professor. "But we haven't understood exactly how or why this is significant.

With this study, we show these neurons sense increases in glucose and then initiate responses aimed at returning blood-glucose levels to normal. This is the first demonstration that glucose-sensing by neurons plays an important role in responding to rising blood glucose levels.

The study that included Michael Cowley of the Oregon Health & Science University appears in the journal Nature.

Source: United Press International

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