Malnutrition, too little movement – lifestyle affects the risk of developing metabolic diseases such as diabetes. However, Dr. According to a research team led by Daniel Zeman-Meier, this relationship also works in the opposite direction. If insulin production is impaired, such as in the early stages of type 2 diabetes, this can contribute to being overweight. The researchers reported their findings in the journal Nature Communications.
The research team focused on PC1/3 protease, a key enzyme that converts various inactive hormone precursors into their final active forms in the body. If this enzyme is not working properly in the human body, serious endocrine disorders can occur. The consequences of this are an uncontrolled feeling of hunger and being overweight.
In the next step, they tested whether the excess weight was due to inappropriate activation of other hormones. PC1/3 specifically activates insulin. The researchers turned off PC1/3 in mice specifically in pancreatic beta cells that produce insulin. The animals consumed significantly more calories and soon became overweight and diabetic.
The leader and co-author of the study, Prof. “These results are also interesting in terms of reduced PC1/3 in the pancreas of prediabetic patients,” says Mark Donath. This suggests that incorrect insulin activation may not only be a consequence, but also cause excess weight.
News cannot be equated with a doctor’s prescription. Consult an expert before making a decision.
Source: Ferra
