Are Glucose-Sensing Neurons A Key Aspect In The Development Of Type 2 Diabetes?
Scientists have revisited the fact that certain neurons in the brain are activated by glucose. And this time they have identified that defects in the brain’s ability to respond to glucose can play a role in the development of type 2 diabetes. How is this research of clinical use you ask…
“By identifying glucose-sensing neurons in the brain as important players in regulating glucose, our findings may open a new avenue of research,” Dr. Coppari said. “Because these neurons play a role in maintaining glucose homeostasis throughout the body, an impairment in their glucose-sensing ability could play a pathogenic role in type 2 diabetes, where homeostasis is altered.”
In a nut shell, curb the glucose-sensing neurons into reacting appropriately and there is a decreased risk for diabetes. The scientists were able to produce the desired outcome by injecting a molecule called genipin, which disrupted this process of a protein UCP2. What you say?
The researchers also determined that a protein called UCP2, present in energy-making parts of cells called mitochondria, disrupts the production of ATP. Dr. Coppari said this likely leads to more potassium channels remaining open in glucose-sensing brain cells, making them less active and less responsive to glucose.
Think of it like this… more UCP2 equals higher blood sugars. Our desired goal is less of the protein hence increasing sensitivity to glucose and lowering our bodies blood sugar. If you are interested in the complete story with all the big words, check out Science Daily.
Tags: atp, blood_sugars, brain_cells, decreased_risk, desired_outcome, glucose_homeostasis, mitochondria, neurons_in_the_brain, nut_shell, pathogenic_role, potassium_channels, protein, research_dr, science_daily, scientists, type_2_diabetesRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Research
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