All articles tagged with #glucose regulation
Scientists have discovered that the diabetes drug metformin impacts the brain, particularly through a pathway involving the ventromedial hypothalamus and a protein called Rap1, which may explain some of its effects on weight, appetite, and cognition. This new understanding could lead to broader applications of the drug beyond blood sugar control, although further research is needed, especially in humans.
Researchers at the University of Michigan discovered that specific neurons in the hypothalamus help regulate blood sugar levels during routine activities like fasting, by promoting fat breakdown to maintain glucose and prevent hypoglycemia overnight, which could have implications for understanding prediabetes and diabetes management.
A study from the University of Michigan found that specific hypothalamic neurons, VMHCckbr, actively regulate blood glucose during routine conditions by promoting fat breakdown and glycerol production, which supports glucose stability overnight. Overactivity of these neurons may contribute to prediabetes, highlighting the brain's nuanced role in metabolic health.
Researchers discovered that the brainstem-produced peptide ODN can reduce hunger and improve glucose metabolism in rodents without causing nausea, offering a potential new treatment avenue for obesity and type 2 diabetes by targeting glial-to-neuron signaling in the dorsal vagal complex.
French scientist Jessie Inchauspé clarifies that eggs are not harmful to heart health due to their cholesterol content, emphasizing that the real risk factors are glucose dysregulation, inflammation, and oxidation, which can be mitigated by reducing sugar intake.
A meta-analysis of scientific studies conducted by researchers at the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences in Iran found that people who use marijuana are about half as likely to develop type 2 diabetes. The analysis included 11 surveys and four cohort studies and revealed that the incidence of type 2 diabetes among marijuana consumers was significantly lower compared to those without cannabis exposure. While the exact mechanism is not yet fully understood, it is believed that compounds in marijuana bind to receptors in the endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in regulating bodily functions, including insulin secretion. Further research is recommended to better understand the relationship between cannabis use and type 2 diabetes.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have identified a gene related to GLUT4, a protein responsible for transporting glucose from the bloodstream into cells after eating, that plays a crucial role in blood glucose regulation. The study, which analyzed genetic data from over 55,000 individuals, uncovered 10 new genetic regions associated with insulin resistance, eight of which were also linked to a higher risk of Type 2 diabetes. The findings provide valuable insights into the mechanisms of blood glucose regulation and potential targets for new treatments, offering hope for the development of innovative therapies for Type 2 diabetes.