With nearly 10% of the world s population affected, type 2 diabetes is a major public health issue. An excessively sedentary lifestyle and a too-caloric diet encourage the development of this.
Prolonged exposure of pancreatic beta cells to fatty acids was suspected to damage beta cells. However, a new study led by scientists at UNIGE shows a metabolic cycle of fat storage and mobilization (the glycerolipid/NEFA cycle) helps beta cells to adapt to excess sugar. The team analyzed lipid pathways in human and rat cells exposed to high glucose, fat, or both, and showed glucolipotoxic conditions induce a cycle of fat storage and mobilization in beta cells that preserve the insulin-secreting function of these vital cells.
The unexpected benefits of fat in type 2 diabetes - Faculté de médecine unige.ch - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from unige.ch Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
With nearly 10% of the world's population affected, type 2 diabetes is a major public health issue. An excessively sedentary lifestyle and a too-caloric diet encourage the development of this metabolic disease by altering the functioning of pancreatic cells and making blood sugar regulation less effective.