(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Fighting diabetes could start in our fat cells.
Researchers found killing off certain immune cells in fat and muscle can rapidly
reverse insulin resistance.
Numerous studies have shown the dangerous cycle of obesity leading to insulin
resistance, which can cause type 2 diabetes. Now, researchers think they may be
on track to reverse insulin resistance and even diabetes.
Using a genetic “trick,” researchers targeted specific subsets of so-called
macrophage cells in fat and muscle tissue.
“The treatment killed these cells within hours, and insulin resistance simply
reversed itself,” study author Jerrold Olefsky from the University of
California, San Diego, was quoted as saying. “It argues strongly that
macrophages are causative for the inflammation that leads to diabetes [in those
who are obese].”
This latest study was performed in obese mice, so researchers say it’s not yet
clear whether their findings will hold true for humans. However, they say these
promising findings suggest targeting all macrophages may not be necessary to
have a beneficial effect on the diseases associated with obesity.
Researchers also found the mice had less fat in their livers following
treatment. Dr. Olefsky said if they can find a unique marker on the macrophages
in human fat tissue, a drug could be designed to bind and kill those features.
Or, he said, it could even be possible to convert the cells into another, less
inflammatory type of cell. More research will need to be done to explore these
options.
SOURCE: Cell Metabolism, 2008
