Researchers found ten new gene mutations affecting insulin production and blood sugar levels. Previously, only four mutations affecting the blood sugar level were known, and only one of them increased the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

The more new genes can be detected by scientists, the more new patterns of their behavior are revealed. The identification of these new mechanisms will help to better understand how the regulation of glucose production in the human body is going on, to distinguish normal glucose metabolism from pathological, and to develop a new medicine for type 2 diabetes, experts say.

The international team of researchers began work with the study of 2.5 million gene variations. The source of the data was 21 open genetic research, which involved 46 thousand people. Scientists have set a goal: to reveal the genetic variations (for the description they also use the term ONP - single nucleotide polymorphism), which affect the metabolism of glucose and insulin. First, the researchers identified 25 of the most interesting variations for them, then the field of study narrowed to ten mutations associated with changes in sugar and insulin levels and an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus.

It is important not only the very fact of increasing the level of sugar in the blood, but also exactly how it happens. When the glucose level changes insignificantly and within the normal range - this is one situation, and when the increase occurs abruptly and is accompanied by a violation of beta-cell function or a decrease in insulin sensitivity - this is quite another matter. In the second case, we are dealing with type 2 diabetes, scientists say.

Medicinform. Net.

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