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Fatty livers are in overdrive

Researchers found that patients with fatty livers burn more fat and produce glucose faster than those with healthy livers, potentially leading to organ damage. The study's findings challenge previous assumptions about the role of metabolism in fatty liver disease.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Metabolism·DateDec 6, 2011

JCI online early table of contents: Nov. 14, 2011

Researchers discovered a molecular pathway driven by PDGFR-alpha that promotes the aggressive nature of a significant proportion of glioblastomas. Overexpressed in GBMs, this pathway triggers signaling cascades leading to tumor growth and invasion. Manipulating Dock180 phosphorylation disrupts this pathway, resulting in failed tumor pr...

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 14, 2011

'SIRT(ain)' benefit of reducing calories

A team of researchers has identified Sirt1 as a crucial protein linking caloric restriction to improved insulin action in skeletal muscle. This finding provides new targets for therapeutics to reduce insulin resistance and lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 10, 2011

JCI online early table of contents: May 9, 2011

Scientists at Johns Hopkins University developed an approach to sensitize prostate cancer cells to radiation therapy by knocking down the expression of a gene responsible for DNA repair. Meanwhile, researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College found that a multiple sclerosis drug causes adverse effects in the lungs by degrading S1P rece...

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMay 9, 2011

JCI online early table of contents: April 1, 2011

Researchers found that the protein PUMA is responsible for inducing apoptosis in intestinal epithelial cells in response to inflammation, suggesting a promising target for ulcerative colitis therapies. Meanwhile, DNA methylation studies revealed targeted gene silencing and potential cancer-initiating events.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateApr 1, 2011

Gene variations associated with risk of type 2 diabetes

Research reveals that specific gene variants, particularly IVS5-13insC, are linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes in individuals of white European ancestry. The study's findings suggest that these genetic variations could serve as early predictive markers for insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateMar 1, 2011

La Jolla Institute-led team illuminates cell pathway key to insulin resistance in Type 2 diabetes

A La Jolla Institute-led team has identified the primary cellular players in an adenosine-fueled inflammation cascade that contributes to insulin resistance. By using an adenosine receptor blocker, the team prevented the activation of macrophages, leading to improved insulin sensitivity and reduced blood sugar levels in diabetic animals.

Aberrations in adipose tissue could increase risk of diabetes in PCOS

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have aberrations in their fat tissue that can lead to insulin resistance and increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The study, published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, found that large fat cells and low levels of adiponectin are strongly associated with ins...

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateJan 17, 2011

Novel diabetes hope comes from Chinese herbs

Researchers found that emodin from Chinese herbs can lower blood glucose and serum insulin levels in mice with diet-induced obesity. The herb's active compound effectively limits the effect of glucocorticoids, which contribute to insulin resistance.

SourceWiley·JournalBritish Journal of Pharmacology·DateAug 17, 2010

Plant compound resveratrol shown to suppresses inflammation, free radicals in humans

A study conducted by University at Buffalo researchers found that resveratrol suppressed the generation of free radicals and reduced inflammation in human blood samples. The compound also showed promise in reducing insulin resistance and related markers, potentially benefiting conditions like type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateJul 29, 2010

1 sleepless night can induce insulin resistance in healthy people

A new study found that just one night of short sleep duration can cause significant changes in metabolic regulation, leading to impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance in healthy individuals. Researchers used the hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp method to measure insulin sensitivity before and after a night of either normal ...

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateMay 5, 2010

Your arteries may be suffering insulin resistance, too

A new report in Cell Metabolism shows that insulin-resistant blood vessels develop plaques twice as large as normal ones and are more prone to atherosclerosis. Insulin signaling helps prevent fatty plaque buildup, suggesting treatments targeting blood vessels may be beneficial for people with diabetes.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Metabolism·DateMay 4, 2010

Exercise in pregnancy reduces size of offspring

A new study found that regular moderate-intensity aerobic exercise during pregnancy reduces offspring birth weight by approximately 143g, while not impacting maternal insulin sensitivity. This reduction in birth weight may lower the risk of obesity later in life.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateApr 5, 2010

Obesity as protection against metabolic syndrome, not its cause

According to Roger Unger, obesity is the body's way of storing lipids in fat tissue to protect other organs. This protective mechanism fails when the body's fat tissue can't handle excess calories, leading to metabolic syndrome. The rise of leptin resistance also plays a key role in this process.

SourceCell Press·JournalTrends in Endocrinology and Metabolism·DateMar 8, 2010

Systems biology approach provides insulin resistance insights

Researchers from UC San Diego used a systems biology approach to determine how core biochemical pathways are altered in skeletal muscle cells and fat cells in people with insulin resistance. The study found that common drugs for treating insulin resistance, such as TZDs, alter these pathways, leading to improved drug therapies.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 20, 2009