Reversing insulin resistance in liver cells could treat type 2 diabetes

Although diabetes is a common condition, no cure exists yet. Current therapies can manage blood sugar levels, but they do not address insulin resistance. But now, recent research reported in ACS Nano shows that targeting certain highly reactive molecules in the liver can reverse insulin resistance in human liver cells and diabetic mice, providing a pathway toward a more long-lasting treatment.

Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body is no longer sensitive to insulin, which regulates blood sugar. Currently, no cure exists, and available treatments focus on managing symptoms and blood sugar levels. Some research has suggested that insulin resistance could be caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are highly unstable, oxygen-based molecules primarily produced by the mitochondria, or the “powerhouses of the cell.” A class of drugs known as mitochondrial uncouplers could help inhibit ROS production at its source, rather than merely cleaning up what’s already been made, as conventional, antioxidant-based treatments do. Ultrasmall platinum nanoparticles are another highly efficient ROS scavenger, though their small size causes them to be cleared from the liver too quickly. But, by combining these two strategies into an all-in-one system, a highly effective and long-lasting treatment platform could be created. So, Jingjing Yang, Shaochun Tang, Yujun Song and colleagues wanted to design such a system, using biodegradable “nanoscavengers” that could potentially restore insulin sensitivity and treat type 2 diabetes.

To build the nanoscavengers, the team coated a template with platinum nanoparticles and a layer of silica. Then, the template was removed to form hollow shells, which were loaded with a mitochondrial uncoupler and coated with a lipid bilayer. When mixed with two ROS, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and superoxide (O2), the system reduced them to water and molecular oxygen. In experiments using human liver cells with induced type 2 diabetes, the nanoscavengers continued to clean up ROS, as well as increase glucose uptake, suggesting that the cells’ insulin sensitivity was restored. The researchers then injected nanoscavengers intravenously into a diabetic mouse model. The constructs migrated to the liver, reducing the amount of fat present, restoring normal cellular function and returning blood glucose levels to normal. Symptoms of diabetic nephropathy were reversed nearly completely. The mice showed no signs of body weight changes or damage to their tissues or organs. The researchers say that this work could provide an effective strategy for long-term treatment of diabetes and other metabolic diseases.

Research reveals how key diabetes drug is made in nature

Sunshine may shield children, young adults from MS

 

Research by Oregon State University has explained how an important type 2 diabetes drug is made in nature, opening the door to improvements in manufacturing through biotechnology.

The findings are particularly important because global demand for the drug, acarbose, is rising along with the incidence of type 2 diabetes – according to the International Diabetes Federation, the disease affects nearly 500 million adults worldwide.

Developed by Bayer, the drug has been on the market under the brand name Precose since 1996. Acarbose comes from soil bacteria but until now the biosynthetic pathway underlying its production – the sequence of steps taken by enzymes to catalyze the chemical reactions responsible for making it – was not known.

Findings of the study, led by Taifo Mahmud of the OSU College of Pharmacy, were published in Nature Communications.

Frequently associated with obesity and low physical activity, type 2 diabetes is a serious metabolic disease that affects roughly one in 10 Americans. Formerly known as adult-onset diabetes, it is a chronic condition affecting the way the body metabolizes glucose, a sugar that’s a key source of energy.

For some patients, that means their body does not properly respond to insulin – it resists the effects of insulin, the hormone produced by the pancreas that opens the door for sugar to enter cells. In the later disease stages, when the pancreas is exhausted, patients don’t produce enough insulin to maintain normal glucose levels.

In either case, sugar builds up in the bloodstream and, if left untreated, impairs many major organs, sometimes to disabling or life-threatening degrees.

Acarbose normalizes blood glucose levels by inhibiting alpha-glucosidase enzymes – it helps keep blood sugar from rising too quickly after someone eats by blocking the breakdown of starchy foods like bread, potatoes and pasta and slowing down the intestinal absorption of some sugars.

Acarbose derives from Actinoplanes bacteria and several other strains of soil bacteria. It was the first alpha-glucosidase inhibitor approved for use in the United States and Europe

“Despite its significant therapeutic importance, how acarbose is made in nature had not been completely understood,” Mahmud said. “Our research not only sheds light on how this high-value pharmaceutical is made in nature but also provides a platform for further improvements of industrial acarbose production – for example, by modifying the DNA of the producing bacteria or through other biotechnological approaches. That means knowing its complete biosynthetic pathway is important from both scientific and industrial points of view.”

What remains unknown, Mahmud added, is why soil bacteria produce acarbose – what purpose does the compound serve for them? Some hypothesize that it plays a role in shuttling sugars between bacteria’s intra- and extracellular spaces or that it protects against the carbohydrate-degrading enzymes of other organisms.

“What exactly the function is for the producing organisms in their natural environment remains an exciting topic for future studies,” he said.

Multiple Sclerosis and Fibromyalgia – is there a connection?




Fibromyalgia and multiple sclerosis

Fibromyalgia and multiple sclerosis

As some readers will know my background was conducting market research with people who suffer from various medical conditions. The main ones were in fact diabetes, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.

It was only when we started working with a lot of social media in around 2006 that I became commented with members of the fibromyalgia community.




You might also aware that we run various communities on Facebook and Twitter where we encourage discussion on a whole range of subject which are important to people with various conditions.

Over the years there has been a number of questions which come up from time to time. One of which is the relation between multiple sclerosis and fibromyalgia. After all having more than one autoimmune condition is not uncommon.

Indeed one of our members posted this on our page MultipleSclerosisTalk a few days ago “Hi. I just had a quick question. I am currently diagnosed with Fibromyalgia but with this last relapse, I have noticed many new and worsening symptoms, and I’m worried it may be more related to MS. I have a appointment with a neurologist on Tuesday and I was wondering how I should approach this with him. I’m really sick on this because I feel like they don’t really listen to how you feel sometimes. Thank you for any advice.”

Firstly if you do have any advice for this reader please feel free to use the comments box below to share your ideas.

Secondly I’m wondering how common this situation actually is? So I thought it would be useful to run the following poll to see how our readers have been diagnosed in the past.

It would great if you could take part below.





 

Bonnie2405 I think fibro me CFs lupus Lyme and ms are all the same, like polio, some get it small some get it big. If ritbixin works, they may have a cure for all of it, the virus attacks the autoimmune system that goes into overdrive, ritbixin removes all B cells wipes long term memory and the mitochondria has to start building healthy cells all over again freshly removing the virus from our bodies. The drug will be ready within three years are u ready to start recommending it DR because patients are desperate and want to try it they are that desperate.
traceychace Hi my name is Tracey, I was diagnosed with fibro about 3years ago after suffering for many years before hand.
My Dad had MS, my Mom has always said that she thought that’s what I have more than fibro.
My neurologist said that I deffinatley don’t have ms as there is no connection & its not hereditary.
My health seems to be deteriorating quite quickly, does fibro usually deteriorate quickly?
emily89 My mom was diagnosed with ms in her 30’s & im 24 I was just diagnosed with fibromyalgia, my older sister also has fibromyalgia. All of our symptoms are similar the only difference is that in an mri my mom has visible plaque on her brain.
anarivera Hi my name is ana rivera and i have fibromyalgia and i just cant find thevright medication can someone please help !!
RebeccaRaeThomas Go in with a detailed history of all symptoms over time and voice your concerns. Be assertive in getting additional tests. Don’t let them dismiss your concerns.

Barb MacLeod – 1 year ago
Diagnosed with IDDM (Type 1 or Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus) in 1984; Diagnosed with RRMS (Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis) in 2015. My sister has Type 2 Diabetes diagnosed in 2012. My mother has Fibromyalgia diagnosed in 2014. It is tough being female in our family ! 🙂

Ileana Peters – 2 years ago
I was diagnosed with MS in 2011. i have a cousin that has fibromyalgia. Our symptoms are very similar . Its crossed our minds, she might have been misdiagnosed.

Carole mellor – 3 years ago
I was diagnosed with MS in 2008 and just been diagnosed now with Fibromyalgia the symptoms are very similar

linda Barlow – 3 years ago
Iv just fibormyalgy it’s a very painful ms what symptoms for that.

Donnee Spencer’s Medical Awareness Butterflies – Which one do you want a copy of?




Donnee's Medical  Awareness Butterflies

Donnee’s Medical Awareness Butterflies

Over the last few years Donnee Spencer has produced these amazing awareness butterflies.

As you can see so far she has covered psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, COPD, strokes, Crohns, cancer, autism, fibromyalgia, diabetes and cerebral palsy among others.

The purpose of this blog is three fold.  Firstly simply to showcase Donnee’s brilliant work.

Secondly we are hoping she will be able to send us individual  copies which we can share with our readers on separate posts.   Please use the comments box to let us know which ones you might like posted first.

Finally if you would like Donnee to consider other causes to produce these wonderful images for –  please let us know in the comments box and we will share with her.

Many thanks in advance and many thanks Donnee!




Going vegan may help prevent diabetes in overweight people


5 A DAY - Fruit and Vegetables

5 A DAY – Fruit and Vegetables

“Going vegan can prevent overweight adults from developing type 2 diabetes, an ‘important’ new study has concluded,” reports the Mail Online. Researchers in the US investigated the effects of a 16-week vegan diet on a group of overweight people compared with a group that continued their usual diet.

The vegan group showed improvements in beta-cell function. Beta cells play a key role in regulating blood insulin levels, and deterioration in their function is often associated with the gradual onset of type 2 diabetes. People in the vegan group also had a reduction in body mass index (BMI) and fat levels compared with the usual-diet group.

Vegan diets tend to have less fat and sugar than a conventional Western diet, and reducing fat and sugar intake is known to reduce diabetes risk, so the results are not particularly surprising. The challenge is getting people to stick to these diets or, for those who don’t want to go vegan, a similar balanced diet that contains fish and low-fat dairy products.

This study mainly involved women who were health-conscious, which means they may be more likely to adhere to dietary restrictions. Repeating the experiment with groups from different backgrounds would help determine how successful it may be in larger populations.




For people with a confirmed diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, a diet-only approach may not be enough to control blood sugar levels.

Where did the story come from?

The study was led by researchers from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) in Washington DC, and researchers from 4 other international institutions in the Czech Republic, Italy and the US.

It was funded by the PCRM and published in the peer-reviewedmedical journal Nutrients on an open-access basis, so it’s free to read online.

While the Mail Online largely reported the story accurately, it was somewhat over-optimistic about the results – the study was too small and too short to show that a vegan diet prevents diabetes. Also, none of the participants, in either group, had diabetes by the end of the trial.

What kind of research was this?

This was a randomised controlled trial where one group was asked to follow a low-fat vegan diet and the other to carry on eating as normal. Randomised controlled trials are the most reliable way of assessing the effect of an intervention, but their power depends on good randomisation to balance confounders, a large sample size and making the effort to follow up the participants.

What did the research involve?

The researchers recruited overweight men and women aged 25 to 75 years with a BMI of between 28 and 40. In adults, a BMI of 25 to 30 is classed as being overweight, and 30 or above as obese. People who had diabetes, smoked, abused alcohol or drugs, were pregnant or were currently eating a vegan diet were excluded.




A total of 75 people took part in the study – 38 in the intervention group and 37 in the control group – 96% of whom completed the study.

Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention or control group. The former were asked to follow a low-fat vegan diet consisting of vegetables, grains, legumes, fruits and carbohydrates. No meals were provided, so participants had to make all meals themselves. The control group were asked to make no meal changes. In both groups, alcoholic drinks were limited to 1 a day for women and 2 a day for men.

All participants were asked to complete a 3-day food diary at baseline and 16 weeks. Dietitians analysed this data and made unscheduled telephone calls to participants to assess dietary adherence.

They were also told not to change their exercise habits – measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, a well-validated assessment system for physical activity – and asked to keep taking any prescription medicine as normal.

At the end of the study, the researchers tested whether there were any correlations between beginning the vegan diet and changes in:

beta-cell function – the ability of beta cells to store and release insulin

insulin resistance – a measurement of how well cells respond to insulin

visceral fat – fat that is deeper in the body or wrapped around the organs

BMI

What were the basic results?

In the intervention group after 16 weeks:

beta-cell function appeared to improve – lower levels of insulin were secreted between meals and greater levels secreted in response to meals

fasting insulin resistance fell (-1.0, 95% confidence interval [CI]-1.2 to -0.8) – this was related to a reduction in BMI and loss of visceral fat

BMI decreased by 2 (the average fell from 33.1 to 31.2) but barely changed in the control group (33.6 to 33.4)

visceral fat volume decreased from an average of 1,289cm3 to 1,090cm3 but increased in the control group from 1,434cm3 to 1,459cm3

How did the researchers interpret the results?

They said beta-cell function and insulin sensitivity were significantly improved through a low-fat, plant-based diet in overweight adults using a 16-week intervention, adding: “Our study suggests the potential of a low-fat, plant-based diet in diabetes prevention.”

Conclusion

This study showed that overweight individuals without diabetes who followed a vegan diet with no limit on energy intake can improve function of beta cells and fasting insulin resistance.

The study’s strength lies in its method. It was a randomised trial, which is the best way to assess the effectiveness of an intervention. However, there were limitations:

participants prepared their own meals, meaning any fluctuations to the diet plan were not controlled or recorded

dietary intake relied on self-reporting, which has well-known limitations, such as participants not remembering what they ate or not being honest if they went off-plan

most of the participants were already health-conscious, so they may have been more likely to stick to a vegan diet and are not representative of the whole population

the sample size was small – the experiment would need to be repeated in larger and more diverse populations before any definitive conclusions could be drawn

Further research is also needed to see whether improvements in beta-cell function require a 100%-vegan diet or if the beneficial effects can be achieved with smaller changes.

Finally, it’s important to note that non-vegan diets that include low-fat dairy products and oily fish, among other recommendations, can also aid weight loss and help control or prevent type 2 diabetes.

Read more advice about reducing your type 2 diabetes risk.

Analysis by Bazian
Edited by NHS Choices