Type 2 diabetes: blocked gene as a protective aid

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MunichSome type 2 diabetics are particularly ill: They only produce very little insulin. Often times, it is a specific genetic variant that makes your disease worse. But that can now be switched off - with a well-known active ingredient. Many could benefit from this.

“The concept of treating patients according to their individual genetic profile has great potential,” explains Anders Rosengren from Lund University. The researcher and his team have succeeded in blocking the negative effect of a common risk gene for type 2 diabetes.

Decelerated insulin response

Studies on the effects of the risky gene were published in 2009 by several research groups. The genetic variant causes the insulin-producing cells to react over-sensitively to stress hormones. This severely cuts their ability to secrete insulin.

The gene variant is very common. Around 30 percent of the population have them. But it naturally occurs more frequently in type 2 diabetics - 40 percent of them are carriers.

Well-known active ingredient

Conveniently, there is already an active ingredient that switches off the effect of the gene: yohimbine. The substance, which originally comes from the bark of the yohimbe tree, was used against high blood pressure in the past. In the meantime he mainly helps men with potency problems.

“The fact that we can use a well-known drug has accelerated the journey significantly. Because the fabric has already been checked for its safety, ”says co-author Erik Renström.

Initial tests on patients have already been positive. The scientists recruited a total of 50 test subjects with type 2 diabetes. All of them underwent a glucose tolerance test, which showed how well the insulin-producing cells responded to increased blood sugar levels. As expected, this ability was 25 percent worse in the carriers of the risk gene.

Gene carriers and non-carriers received either yohimbim or a placebo at three different times. Her insulin secretion was then tested again.

Neutralized risk

“Yohimbim neutralized the effect of the risk gene. The carriers then produced just as much insulin as the participants without the risky gene variant, ”report the researchers. How well your own insulin cells still work is crucial. This depends on whether a type 2 diabetic needs to inject insulin or not.

In addition, it depends on the severity of the disease whether a person will later feel the consequences of the excessive sugar levels. They range from diseased vessels to pain, and blindness to foot amputations.

Before yohimbim is used in diabetics, however, it is important to minimize the side effects of the drug, the scientists write. These include headaches, irritability, insomnia, restlessness, and nausea.

Another side effect, however, should be accepted: Yohimbim has a sexually stimulating effect. (cf)

Source: Press release University of Lund, October 14, 2014

Tags:  Diseases symptoms gpp