Protection from fatty liver - and diabetes

Fatty liver disease is linked to obesity and the use of alcohol, and can cause (or be caused by) diabetes. It can lead to several liver diseases, including cancer, and will certainly contribute in further development of diabetes.

Inhibiting proteins that regulate fat in the liver, could function as a treatment against fatty liver disease.

Fatty Liver. Credit CNIC

An investigation led by Dr. Guadalupe Sabio at the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC), it was discovered that the proteins p38 gamma and p38 delta control the flow of neutrocytes. Cells that are needed for fat accumulation in liver tissue.

Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-02/cndi-crd020116.php

Activated brown fat tissue disables weight-gain

A study in Finland has shown that removing a certain gene (USF1) in mice, activates brown adipose tissue to rapidly clear circulating fat and sugar from blood. Brown fat is a generator of body heat, and unlike white fat tissue, it is a very beneficial tissue.

Brown adipose tissue "vacuums" energy nutrients from blood circulation. Credit: PP Laurila

The removal of the USF1 gene increased the activity of brown adipose tissue -- which in turn increased metabolism. Even with a high-fat diet, and less physical activity, the test mice that lacked the USF1 gene stayed in shape.

The researchers also found that for humans who have a weaker USF1 gene, a similar effect was visible.

As the activation of brown fat disables weight-gain, it also protects from diabetes and cardiovascular disease, which could make the USF1 gene a target in the treatment of metabolic diseases.

Inflammation in the development of T2D

What role does inflammation have in the development of type 2 diabetes? Could understanding it be the key in finding an effective way of treating diabetes, as well as other metabolic disorders?

Image courtesy of suphakit73 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

A beginning investigation that brings together researchers from Oxford, Copenhagen, and Karolinska Institutet, will combine their expertise of immunology and metabolism.


Using the latest technologies, molecular analysis, and big data analysis, the team will try find and characterize the biological pathways that underlie metabolic diseases.

Source: http://www.ndorms.ox.ac.uk/news/new-approach-for-type-2-diabetes-research

Blood signals as T2D treatment

Signals in the blood might affect insulin secretion more than glucose itself. Could positively impact the secretion of insulin and protection of cells.

Image courtesy of Idea go at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The identification and characterization of these signalling factors is important.
If these signals could be mimicked artificially, they could be made into a therapeutic method in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

(Source: Press release, Wiley, 2016)

Treating T2D by blocking fat carrier proteins

A study has identified an antibody that could have an therapeutic effect on type 2 diabetes.

The treatment method would be based on "killing the messenger", a certain fatty acid carrier, that is most likely a contributor in hyperglycemia and insulin resistance.

It was found that the antibody lowered the fasting blood sugar, and decreased insulin resistance of obese test mice. It also reduced fat mass in the liver. All as a result of blocking the fatty acid carrier called adipocyte protein 2.

The study concluded that this method could be a feasable approach in treating type 2 diabetes.

Eggs and Diabetes

Should people with diabetes really avoid eggs? Has dietary cholesterol in eggs anything to do with cholesterol in your blood?

Scientific data actually tells a different story. Eating eggs has no association with high cholesterol levels (1). And when it comes to diabetes, eggs might be a powerful element in a diabetic diet, since they are a very nutritious food ingredient that could help in keeping a balanced blood sugar level. Especially when eaten as breakfast.

Read more about the importance of eggs for a diabetic diet in this article in my main blog.