Protein in diabetes-obesity link

A link between type 2 diabetes and obesity has been discovered, research shows.

The study by King’s College London has discovered a mechanism in the immune system that causes the relationship. It has been identified as a protein called T-bet.

The research, which made use of mice, was completed by Jane Howard and Graham Lord. When the protein was removed from the rodents, the link between obesity and the diabetes reduced significantly.

“When T-bet was absent this altered the relationship between fat and insulin resistance; the mice had more intra-abdominal fat but were actually more sensitive to the glucose-lowering effects of insulin,” said Howard.

“As fat accumulation in the abdomen is typically associated with worsening insulin resistance and other features of the metabolic syndrome, the findings seen were both unusual and unexpected.”

The numbers of those with the disease have doubled since 1980, with around 370 million suffering from the condition worldwide. The results raise hopes of providing new treatments for the condition, and eradicating the link between obesity and diabetes.

“Our data suggests that obesity can be uncoupled from insulin resistance, through the absence of T-bet,” said Howard.

“This is just the start. The idea that the immune system can impact on metabolism is very exciting.”