New discovery about the cause of type 2 diabetes

Scientists at Case Western Reserve University (USA) discovered the cause of type 2 diabetes, and demonstrated in experiments on mice that blocking a specific enzyme could open up a new treatment direction for this disease.

Illustration of diabetes test

Type 2 diabetes begins when a person's body stops responding to insulin and eventually loses the ability to produce enough of the hormone. But scientists still don't understand exactly why the insulin system stops working.

In the new study, scientists identified an enzyme called SCAN, which is a carrier of nitric oxide into proteins that include a substance that acts as a receptor for insulin action. Nitric oxide is an important chemical messenger in the body, supporting circulation and regulating hormones, including insulin.

But the team found increased SCAN activity in both diabetic mice and humans, and conversely, mice without the SCAN enzyme did not develop diabetes. “Blocking the SCAN enzyme could provide a new therapeutic approach,” said Jonathan Stamler, lead researcher on the study.

LAM DIEN

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/phat-hien-moi-ve-nguyen-nhan-gay-tieu-duong-type-2-post718428.html