Researchers at the University of Geneva have made two significant discoveries regarding the relationship between lipids and diabetes. While sugar is widely regarded as a leading cause of type 2 diabetes, this study highlights the importance of understanding the role of fats in the development of the disease. By analyzing the blood profiles of individuals with diabetes or pre-diabetes, as well as those who have undergone partial pancreas removal, the researchers found that lipid composition in blood and adipose tissues fluctuates during the day and is altered in a daytime-dependent manner in diabetics. Furthermore, they discovered that a specific type of lipid, lysoPI, can boost insulin secretion when the beta cells responsible for insulin production fail.
The findings, published in the journals Cell Reports Medicine and Diabetes, have significant implications for the treatment of diabetic patients. While the role of lipids in human metabolism, particularly in type 2 diabetes, is still being explored, advancements in mass spectrometry have allowed researchers to analyze the levels of hundreds of different types of lipids simultaneously. This research focused on identifying which lipids are most present in type 2 diabetics in order to develop interventions such as early detection, prevention, therapeutic targets, and personalized recommendations for patients.
To conduct their study, the team of researchers analyzed the blood profiles of patients from four European countries and confirmed their results using a mouse model of the disease. They found that the differences in lipid profiles between type 2 diabetics and individuals without diabetes are most pronounced in the early morning, during which certain toxic lipids increase. The researchers are currently unsure about the reasons for this increase, but it suggests that it could serve as a marker for the severity of diabetes and pave the way for personalized care based on each patient’s specific chronotype.
The implications of this research go beyond diabetes. The researchers discovered that the time of day when samples were taken can impact the results and potentially lead to contradictory findings. This emphasizes the importance of considering the timing of examinations and treatments in the clinical setting to ensure accurate diagnoses and effective treatments.
The researchers also expanded their lipidomic analyses to include a mouse model of pre-diabetes and patients who had lost approximately half of their insulin-producing beta cells following surgery. They found that lysoPIs, a type of lipid, increase in cases where there is a significant decrease in functional beta cells, even before the clinical symptoms of diabetes manifest. Furthermore, when lysoPIs were administered to diabetic mice, insulin production increased. The same phenomenon was observed in vitro on pancreatic cells from diabetic patients.
These findings highlight the potential of lysoPIs to reinforce insulin secretion as a compensatory mechanism when beta cell numbers decrease or they malfunction. The researchers suggest that further exploration of lysoPIs could lead to new strategies for managing diabetes, such as the development of dietary supplements or molecules that target lysoPI receptors. Additionally, considering the chronobiological profiles of patients could provide valuable insights for diabetes management.
In conclusion, this study demonstrates the intricate relationship between lipids and diabetes. By understanding the fluctuations in lipid composition and the influence of specific lipids such as lysoPIs on insulin secretion, researchers can explore new avenues for diabetes prevention and treatment. These insights have the potential to significantly improve the lives of diabetic patients and provide personalized care based on individual chronotypes.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
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