Breakthrough in Diabetes Research Spurs Innovative Treatments

Researchers have identified a novel mechanism through which type 2 diabetes develops. In experiments with mice, they showed that inhibiting a specific enzyme could pave the way for a new approach to treating the disease.

The onset of type 2 diabetes occurs when the body no longer responds to insulin, leading to a gradual loss of the hormone’s production.

In the absence of sufficient insulin, blood glucose levels elevate, posing a risk for various severe health issues. However, the precise reasons behind the failure of the insulin system remain not entirely clear to scientists.

Identification of the Essential SCAN Enzyme in Diabetes Onset

In the recent research, researchers from Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals have pinpointed a crucial enzyme called SCAN that plays a significant role. SCAN functions as a carrier, binding nitric oxide to proteins, including one that serves as a receptor for insulin activity.

Nitric oxide is a vital chemical messenger in the body, contributing to circulation and hormone regulation, including insulin. However, the study revealed increased SCAN activity in individuals with diabetes, both in mice and humans. Conversely, mice engineered to lack the SCAN enzyme appeared to be shielded from the effects of diabetes.

Blocking SCAN Enzyme as a Promising Treatment for Diabetes and Related Diseases

“We have demonstrated that inhibiting this enzyme provides protection against diabetes, and the implications extend to numerous diseases likely caused by novel enzymes that add nitric oxide,” remarked Jonathan Stamler, the lead researcher of the study. “Blocking this enzyme could present a novel treatment.”

Elevated levels of nitric oxide have been associated with various health conditions, such as coronary artery disease. However, due to its reactive nature, directly targeting it proves challenging. Instead, the recent study suggests that targeting a related enzyme could present a promising avenue for treating diabetes and other illnesses. Nevertheless, it is important to note that the research is still in its early stages, and further investigations are necessary to explore how to effectively target SCAN.

Read the original article on: New Atlas

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