Tag: Type 2 diabetes

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Millions of Diabetes and Heart Disease Cases Linked to Sugary Drinks, New Study Finds

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A new study from researchers at Tufts University, which appears in Nature Medicine, estimates that 2.2 million new cases of type 2 diabetes and 1.2 million new cases of cardiovascular disease occur each year globally due to consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages.

In developing countries, the case count is particularly sobering. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the study found that sugar-sweetened beverages contributed to more than 21% of all new diabetes cases. In Latin America and the Caribbean, they contributed to nearly 24% of new diabetes cases and more than 11% of new cases of cardiovascular disease.

Colombia, Mexico, and South Africa are countries that have been particularly hard hit.  More than 48% of all new diabetes cases in Colombia were attributable to consumption of sugary drinks. Nearly one third of all new diabetes cases in Mexico were linked to sugary drink consumption. In South Africa, 27.6% of new diabetes cases and 14.6% of cardiovascular disease cases were attributable to sugary drink consumption.

Sugary beverages are rapidly digested, causing a spike in blood sugar levels with little nutritional value. Regular consumption over time leads to weight gain, insulin resistance, and a host of metabolic issues tied to type 2 diabetes and heart disease, two of the world’s leading causes of death.

“Sugar-sweetened beverages are heavily marketed and sold in low- and middle-income nations. Not only are these communities consuming harmful products, but they are also often less well equipped to deal with the long-term health consequences,” says Dariush Mozaffarian, senior author on the paper and director of the Food is Medicine Institute at the Friedman School.

As countries develop and incomes rise, sugary drinks become more accessible and desirable, the authors say. Men are more likely than women to suffer the consequences of sugary drink consumption, as are younger adults compared to their older counterparts, the researchers say.

“We need urgent, evidence-based interventions to curb consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages globally, before even more lives are shortened by their effects on diabetes and heart disease,” says Laura Lara-Castor, NG24, first author on the paper who earned her PhD at the Friedman School and is now at the University of Washington.

The study’s authors call for a multi-pronged approach, including public health campaigns, regulation of sugary drink advertising, and taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages.  Some countries have already taken steps in this direction. Mexico, which has one of the highest per capita rates of sugary drink consumption in the world, introduced a tax on the beverages in 2014. Early evidence suggests that the tax has been effective in reducing consumption, particularly among lower-income individuals. 

“Much more needs to be done, especially in countries in Latin America and Africa where consumption is high and the health consequence severe,” says Mozaffarian. “As a species, we need to address sugar-sweetened beverage consumption.”

Source: Tufts University

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Five Years of Vitamin D Supplements Fails to Prevent Diabetes

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Using significantly higher doses of vitamin D than recommended for five years did not affect the incidence of type 2 diabetes in elderly men and women, according to a new study from the University of Eastern Finland which appears in Diabetologia.

In population studies, low levels of vitamin D in the body have been associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, but such observational studies cannot directly prove a causative link. Experimental studies have shown that the use of significantly higher doses of vitamin D than recommended slightly reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in individuals with impaired glucose metabolism, ie, those with prediabetes. In contrast, no effects have been observed in individuals without prediabetes. However, the studies with non-prediabetic subjects have used relatively small doses of vitamin D or have been short-term. Until now, there has been no research data on the effects of long-term use of high doses of vitamin D on the risk of type 2 diabetes in individuals without glucose metabolism disorders.

In the Finnish Vitamin D Trial (FIND) conducted at the University of Eastern Finland from 2012 to 2018, 2 495 men aged 60 and older and women aged 65 and older were randomised for five years into either a placebo group or groups receiving either 40 or 80 micrograms of vitamin D3 per day. In the statistical analyses of the now-published sub-study, 224 participants who were already using diabetes medications at the start of the study were excluded. Comprehensive information was collected from the participants on lifestyle, nutrition, diseases, and their risk factors. Data was also obtained from national health registers. About one-fifth were randomly selected for more detailed examinations, and blood samples were taken from them.

During the five years, 105 participants developed type 2 diabetes: 38 in the placebo group, 31 in the group receiving 40 micrograms of vitamin D3 per day, and 36 in the group receiving 80 micrograms of vitamin D3 per day. There was no statistically significant difference in the number of cases between the groups.

In the more closely studied group of 505 participants, the blood calcidiol level, which describes the body’s vitamin D status, was on average 75nmol/L at the start, and only 9% had a low level, ie, below 50nmol/L. After one year, the calcidiol level was on average 100nmol/L in the group that used 40 micrograms of vitamin D per day and 120nmol/L in the group that used 80 micrograms of vitamin D per day. There was no significant change in the placebo group. The effects of vitamin D on blood glucose and insulin levels, body mass index, and waist circumference were examined during the first two years of the study, but no differences were observed between the groups.

The findings of the FIND study reinforce the view that the use of higher doses of vitamin D than recommended does not significantly affect the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in individuals without prediabetes and who already have a good vitamin D status. So far, there is no research data on whether high doses of vitamin D can be beneficial in preventing type 2 diabetes in individuals without prediabetes but with vitamin D deficiency.

Source: University of Eastern Finland

Categories : Metabolic Disorders UrogenitalTags :

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists also Protect the Kidneys, Study Shows

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GLP-1 agonists significantly reduced kidney deterioration and failure, regardless of diabetes status

Chronic kidney disease (CKD). Credit: Scientific Animations CC4.0

The biggest and most comprehensive analysis of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists on kidney and cardiovascular outcomes shows they have significant benefits in people with and without diabetes.1 Findings appear in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.

Originally developed to treat diabetes, GLP-1 receptor agonists mimic the action of glucagon-like peptide 1, a hormone which stimulates insulin production and lowers blood sugar levels. More recently, they have emerged as effective treatments for obesity – slowing digestion, increasing satiety and reducing hunger. 

But while the benefits of GLP-1 receptor agonists for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease are well known, their impact on chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been less certain.

Researchers conducted a meta-analysis of 11 large-scale clinical trials of GLP-1 receptor agonists involving a total of 85 373 people (79.4% with type 2 diabetes and 20.6% with overweight or obesity and cardiovascular disease but without diabetes). Seven different GLP-1 receptor agonists were investigated among the trials. 

The results showed that compared to placebo, GLP-1 receptor agonists reduced the risk of kidney failure by 16% and the worsening of kidney function by 22% (defined by a drop in estimated glomerular filtration rate – a measure of how much blood the kidneys filter clean every minute – of at least 50%). The combined reduction in the risk of kidney failure, worsening kidney function, and death due to kidney disease was 19%. 

The analysis also confirmed previous findings that GLP-1 receptor agonists protect cardiovascular health, with a 14% reduction in the risk of cardiovascular death, non-fatal heart attack, and non-fatal stroke, compared to placebo. Death by any cause was 13% lower among patients treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists.

Lead author Professor Sunil Badve, Professorial Fellow at The George Institute for Global Health and UNSW Sydney said the study expanded current knowledge about this class of drugs in key areas, including benefits in people with CKD, and in people with and without diabetes. 

“This is the first study to show a clear benefit of GLP-1 receptor agonists on kidney failure or end-stage kidney disease, suggesting they have a key role in kidney-protective and heart-protective treatment for patients with common medical conditions like type 2 diabetes, overweight or obesity with cardiovascular disease, or CKD,” he said.

“These results are particularly important for patients with chronic kidney disease. It is a progressive condition eventually leading to kidney failure requiring dialysis or kidney transplantation and is associated with premature death, mostly from heart disease. It has a significant impact on patients’ quality of life and incurs substantial healthcare costs.” 

CKD is estimated to affect one in ten people worldwide, equivalent to around 850 million people.2 It is the tenth leading cause of death and is projected to become the fifth most common cause of death by 2050.3 Diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity are independent risk factors for CKD and represent a major global health burden.4

Source: George Institute for Global Health

References

  1. Badve S et al. Effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists on kidney and cardiovascular disease outcomes: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(24)00271-7
  2. Jager KJ, et al. A single number for advocacy and communication-worldwide more than 850 million individuals have kidney diseases. Kidney Int. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.kint.2019.07.012 
  3. GBD 2021 Forecasting Collaborators. Burden of disease scenarios for 204 countries and territories, 2022–2050: a forecasting analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. Lancet. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(24)00685-8 
  4. The Global Burden of Metabolic Risk Factors for Chronic Diseases Collaboration. Cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and diabetes mortality burden of cardio-metabolic risk factors between 1980 and 2010: comparative risk assessment. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2015. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(14)70102-0 
Categories : Metabolic Disorders Neurodegenerative DiseasesTags :

Long-term Study Finds Link between Earlier Diabetes Diagnosis and Dementia Risk

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People diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at a younger age are at a higher risk for developing dementia than those diagnosed later in life, according to a study led by researchers at the NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing. The findings, published in PLOS ONE, show that the increased risk is especially pronounced among adults with obesity.

“Our study suggests that there may be cognitive consequences to earlier onset type 2 diabetes, and it points to the need for strategies to prevent dementia that consider both diabetes and obesity,” said Xiang Qi, assistant professor at NYU Meyers and the study’s first author.

Type 2 diabetes is a known risk factor for dementia. Although the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood, scientists think that some of the hallmarks of diabetes, such as high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and inflammation, may encourage the development of dementia in the brain.

While type 2 diabetes was once a disease of older adults, it is increasingly prevalent among younger individuals: one in five people with type 2 diabetes worldwide is under 40 years old.

To understand how the timing of a type 2 diabetes diagnosis relates to dementia risk, the research team analyzed data from 2002 to 2016 in the Health and Retirement Study, a longitudinal study conducted by the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research. The PLOS ONE study included 1213 US adults aged 50 and over with type 2 diabetes confirmed by blood tests, without dementia at baseline. Following participants for up to 14 years, 216 (17.8%) developed dementia based on follow-up telephone interviews.

The researchers found that adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at younger ages were at increased risk for developing dementia, compared to those diagnosed at 70 years or older. Adults diagnosed with diabetes before age 50 were 1.9 times as likely to develop dementia as those diagnosed at 70 and older, while those diagnosed between 50–59 years were 1.72 times as likely and those diagnosed between 60–69 years were 1.7 times as likely.

Using linear trend tests, the researchers found a graded association between age at diagnosis and dementia risk: for each year younger a person is at the time of their type 2 diabetes diagnosis, their risk for developing dementia increases by 1.9%.

“While we do not know for sure why an earlier diabetes diagnosis would increase the risk for dementia, prior studies show that people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in mid-life may experience more vascular complications, poor blood sugar control, and insulin resistance – all of which are known risk factors for cognitive impairment,” said Bei Wu, the Dean’s Professor in Global Health and vice dean for research at NYU Meyers and the study’s senior author.

In addition, obesity appeared to influence the relationship between type 2 diabetes and dementia. Individuals with obesity who were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes before age 50 had the highest dementia risk in the study.

The researchers note that this greater understanding of the connection between diabetes onset, obesity, and dementia may help inform targeted interventions to prevent dementia.

“Our study highlights the importance of one’s age at diabetes diagnosis and suggests that specifically targeting obesity – whether through diet and exercise or perhaps medication – may play a role in staving off dementia in younger adults with diabetes,” said Wu.

Source: New York University

Categories : Metabolic DisordersTags :

How Organisations Can Support Mobile Workforces with Diabetes – From Prevention to Management

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As global mobility surges, managing chronic conditions like diabetes during travel has become a significant concern. Diabetes remains one of the fastest-growing global public health issues1,affecting approximately 422 million people worldwide and causing 1.5 million deaths annually.2 International SOS, the world’s leading health and security services company, has reported a significant year-on-year increase in diabetes-related assistance cases over the past three years, with a 28% increase in 2022 and a 32% increase in 2023.

Meanwhile, year-to-date 2024 data indicates a further uptick.3 With World Diabetes Day approaching on 14 November, organisations are urged to support diabetes prevention and management strategies. This year’s theme, ‘Breaking Barriers, Bridging Gaps’4 highlights the need for equitable, comprehensive and affordable diabetes care.

Dr Katherine O’Reilly, Regional Medical Director at International SOS, emphasises the importance of comprehensive health strategies: “It is important for organisations to understand the unique challenges that employees with diabetes face, particularly when travelling. By recognising these specific needs, companies can provide the necessary support and resources to help their employees manage their condition effectively. This ensures that employees can maintain their health and productivity, even when they are on the go. With thoughtful planning and the right resources, organisations can help their employees navigate the complexities of diabetes, fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment.”

People with diabetes face a double burden: a higher risk of life-threatening conditions like heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure, compounded by the psychological toll of diabetes distress. Individuals with diabetes are two to three times more likely to experience depression compared to those without the condition.5 These challenges can significantly impact employee wellbeing, leading to increased absenteeism, reduced productivity, and higher healthcare costs for employers.

According to The International Diabetes Federation (IDF), the global healthcare costs for individuals living with diabetes are expected to exceed $1054 billion by 2045.6 Furthermore, the prevalence of diabetes is projected to rise, with 643 million people affected by 2030, and 783 million by 2045.7 With this rising prevalence, it is crucial for organisations to implement strategies that help their workforce manage and prevent this chronic condition. Minor adjustments can reduce absenteeism, increase productivity, concentration and energy levels, and reduce the chance of on-the-job injury.

Dr Katherine O’Reilly continues, “Early diagnosis is crucial. Raising awareness about diabetes symptoms can prompt people to get screened, enabling early detection and intervention to prevent or delay its onset.  This proactive approach can prevent undiagnosed diabetes from causing severe health complications, affecting various organ systems, including eye damage, heart and kidney disease, nerve damage and poor wound healing. By prioritising employee health, organisations can enhance productivity and foster a more engaged and resilient workforce. This approach also promotes a positive work environment and supports overall employee wellbeing.”


International SOS offers five tips for organisations to support employees in managing and preventing diabetes:

  1. Education and awareness: Increase awareness about diabetes symptoms to encourage early diagnosis and effective management, thereby preventing severe health complications.
  2. Provide comprehensive health solutions: Offer resources such as dietary guidelines, exercise programmes and regular health screenings to help employees manage their diabetes.
  3. Supportive culture and policies: Develop and implement policies allowing for flexible work schedules and access to medical care while travelling. Foster a culture that prioritises health and wellbeing by accommodating regular meals and exercise, and ensuring employees have time to rest and recover from travel.
  4. Promote a healthy lifestyle: Offer guidance on maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise. Provide resources such as a list of healthy meal options and tips for finding nutritious food in different locations.
  5. Facilitate health monitoring and provide adjustments: Ensure employees have scheduled breaks to take medication, check blood sugar levels and eat regular meals. Provide a private space for insulin administration and other medical needs.

  1. Hossain, J., Al-Mamun, Islam, R. Health Science Reports | Diabetes mellitus, the fastest growing global public health concern: Early detection should be focused (2024)
  2. World Health Organization | Diabetes
  3. International SOS Assistance Tracker Data (2021 – 2024)
  4. World Health Organization | World Diabetes Day 2024
  5. CDC | Diabetes and Mental Health (2024)
  6. International Diabetes Federation | Diabetes Atlas Report 2021
  7. Parker ED, Lin J, Mahoney T, Ume N, Yang G, Gabbay RA, ElSayed NA, Bannuru RR. | Economic Costs of Diabetes in the U.S. in 2022. Diabetes Care (2024)
Categories : Mental Health Metabolic DisordersTags :

A Diabetes Drug may Reduce Depression Symptoms

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Research using animal models has shown that the diabetes drug dulaglutide, which is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, may reduce symptoms of depression. A new study published in Brain and Behavior reveals the mechanisms that are likely involved.

By conducting a range of tests in mice treated with and without dulaglutide, investigators confirmed the effects of dulaglutide on depressive-like behaviours, and they identified 64 different metabolites and four major pathways in the brain associated with these effects.

Markers of depression and the antidepressant effects of dulaglutide were linked to lipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, energy metabolism, and tryptophan metabolism.

“These primary data provide a new perspective for understanding the antidepressant-like effects of dulaglutide and may facilitate the use of dulaglutide as a potential therapeutic strategy for depression,” the authors wrote.

Source: Wiley

Categories : Metabolic DisordersTags :

How Muscle Energy Production is Impaired in Type 2 Diabetes

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Mitochondria (red) are organelles found in most cells. They generate a cell’s chemical energy. Credit: NICHD/U. Manor

A new study from Karolinska Institutet, published in Science Translational Medicine, shows that people with type 2 diabetes have lower levels of the protein that breaks down and converts creatine in the muscles. This leads to impaired function of the mitochondria, the ‘powerhouses’ of the cell.

Creatine is a popular supplement for improving exercise performance as it can make muscles work harder and longer before they become fatigued. Previous studies however showed a possible link between high blood creatine levels and increased type 2 diabetes risk. This has raised questions about whether creatine supplementation may contribute to that risk.

New research based on studies in both humans and mice shows that people with type 2 diabetes have lower protein levels in their muscles that metabolises and converts creatine – a protein called creatine kinase. 

“This reduced protein level leads to impaired creatine metabolism in the muscle. This may explain why people with type 2 diabetes accumulate creatine in their blood,” says principal investigator Anna Krook, Professor at the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology at Karolinska Institutet.

Scientists don’t know exactly what high creatine levels in the blood mean for the body, but it is known that it does have an effect outside the cells. 

“The findings indicate that impaired creatine metabolism is a consequence of type 2 diabetes, rather than a cause of the disease,” says Anna Krook. 

Impairs mitochondrial function

The study also shows that low levels of creatine kinase are not only linked to higher creatine levels in the blood, but also impair the function of mitochondria in the muscle. Mitochondria, which convert nutrients into energy, function less well in muscle cells with reduced creatine kinase, leading to both lower energy production and increased cell stress.

“This is quite consistent with the fact that people with type 2 diabetes have poorer energy metabolism. In the future, one possibility could be to regulate creatine kinase as part of the treatment of metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes,” says Anna Krook.

An unexpected finding of the study was that changes in creatine kinase levels affected the appearance of mitochondria and also their ability to produce energy, regardless of the amount of creatine available. 

“This suggests that although the main role of creatine kinase is to process creatine, it affects mitochondrial function in other ways,” explains David Rizo-Roca, the study’s first author.

“Our next step is to find the molecular mechanisms behind these effects,” he says. 

Source: Karolinska Institutet

Categories : Metabolic Disorders Respiratory DiseasesTags :

TB Alters Liver Metabolism and could Promote Diabetes, Study Shows

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Tuberculosis bacteria. Credit: CDC

Scientists from the University of Leicester have discovered that tuberculosis disrupts glucose metabolism in the body. The findings, which have now been published in PLoSPathogens complement the understanding that diabetes worsens the symptoms of tuberculosis. Importantly, they now say, undiagnosed tuberculosis could be pushing vulnerable patients towards metabolic disease such as diabetes.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the most devastating infectious diseases worldwide, killing over 4,000 people every day. Prevention through the development of improved vaccines remains a priority for the World Health Organisation. Currently only one vaccine exists for TB and this is predominantly given to infants and young children to help protect them from severe forms of infection. 

Scientists at the University are researching tuberculosis in the hope of creating improved vaccines and are specifically looking at ways in which undiagnosed and subclinical infection can impact health. This new discovery, they say, could pave the way to define the molecular pathways by which the immune response changes liver metabolism, thereby allowing for the creation of targeted interventions. 

Professor Andrea Cooper from the University’s Leicester Tuberculosis Research Group (LTBRG), is among the authors on the paper.

She said: “Our paper changes the focus from diabetes making TB worse to the possibility that late diagnosis of TB can contribute to disruption of glucose metabolism, insulin resistance and therefore can promote progress towards diabetes in those that are susceptible. 

“As diabetes compromises drug treatment, our paper also supports the idea that metabolic screening should be involved in any drug or vaccine trials.”

The study first used laboratory models of pulmonary TB to examine the changes happening within the liver during the early stages of infection. It found that an immune response was triggered within the liver cells and glucose metabolism was altered. 

First author Dr Mrinal Das then reanalysed published metabolic data from humans, where he found that liver glucose metabolism was also disrupted when people progressed to TB from latent infection.

Professor Cooper added: “Our future aim is to define the molecular pathways by which the immune response is changing liver metabolism, allowing us to potentially create targeted interventions.

 “We will also be investigating how latent TB (which is infection with the bacterial agent of TB without significant symptoms) might be impacting metabolic health in humans.” 

Source: University of Leicester

Categories : Metabolic DisordersTags :

Strong Link Between Haem Iron in Red Meat and Type 2 Diabetes Risk

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Higher intake of haem iron, the type found in red meat and other animal products – as opposed to non-haem iron, found mostly in plant-based foods – was associated with a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D) in a new study published in Nature Metabolism. While the link between haem iron and T2D has been reported previously, the findings from this study, which was led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, more clearly establish and explain the link.

“Compared to prior studies that relied solely on epidemiological data, we integrated multiple layers of information, including epidemiological data, conventional metabolic biomarkers, and cutting-edge metabolomics,” said lead author Fenglei Wang, research associate in the Department of Nutrition. “This allowed us to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of the association between iron intake and T2D risk, as well as potential metabolic pathways underlying this association.”

The researchers assessed the link between iron and T2D using 36 years of dietary reports from 206 615 adults (79% female) enrolled in the Nurses’ Health Studies I and II and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. They examined participants’ intake of various forms of iron – total, haem, non-haem, dietary (from foods), and supplemental (from supplements) – and their T2D status, controlling for other health and lifestyle factors.

The researchers also analysed the biological mechanisms underpinning haem iron’s relationship to T2D among smaller subsets of the participants. They looked at 37 544 participants’ plasma metabolic biomarkers, including those related to insulin levels, blood sugar, blood lipids, inflammation, and two biomarkers of iron metabolism. They then looked at 9024 participants’ metabolomic profiles – plasma levels of small-molecule metabolites.

The study found a significant association between higher haem iron intake and T2D risk. Participants in the highest intake group had a 26% higher risk of developing T2D than those in the lowest intake group. In addition, the researchers found that haem iron accounted for more than half of the T2D risk associated with unprocessed red meat and a moderate proportion of the risk for several T2D-related dietary patterns. In line with previous studies, the researchers found no significant associations between intakes of non-haem iron from diet or supplements and risk of T2D.

The study also found that higher haem iron intake was associated with blood metabolic biomarkers associated with T2D. A higher haem iron intake was associated with higher levels of biomarkers such as C-peptide, triglycerides, C-reactive protein, leptin, and markers of iron overload, as well as lower levels of beneficial biomarkers like HDL cholesterol and adiponectin.

The researchers also identified a dozen blood metabolites – including L-valine, L-lysine, uric acid, and several lipid metabolites – that may play a role in the link between haem iron intake and TD2 risk. These metabolites have been previously associated with risk of T2D.

On a population level, the study findings carry important implications for dietary guidelines and public health strategies to reduce rates of diabetes, according to the researchers. In particular, the findings raise concerns about the addition of heme to plant-based meat alternatives to enhance their meaty flavor and appearance. These products are gaining in popularity, but health effects warrant further investigation.

“This study underscores the importance of healthy dietary choices in diabetes prevention,” said corresponding author Frank Hu, Fredrick J. Stare Professor of Nutrition and Epidemiology. “Reducing haem iron intake, particularly from red meat, and adopting a more plant-based diet can be effective strategies in lowering diabetes risk.”

The researchers noted that the study had several limitations, including the potential for incomplete accounting for confounders and measurement errors in the epidemiological data. In addition, the findings – based on a study population that was mostly white – need to be replicated in other racial and ethnic groups.

Source: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

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Recent Steps in Treatment and Management Show Promise in Stemming the Rise of Diabetes

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A new paper surveying advances in diabetes pathogenesis and treatment explores the complex factors contributing to the onset and progression of the disease, suggesting that an understanding of these dynamics is key to developing targeted interventions to reduce the risk of developing diabetes and managing its complications.

In a paper in a special 50th anniversary issue of the peer-reviewed journal Cell, the authors surveyed hundreds of studies that have emerged over the years looking at the causes underpinning types 1 (T1D) and 2 (T2D) diabetes and new treatments for the disease. They examine the role that genes, environmental factors, and social determinants of health play and diabetes’ effect on cardiovascular and kidney disease.

What they found shows there are many advances in treatments that could stem the tide of a disease that has struck millions of people around the globe and continues to grow. In addition, some of these advances could be used to treat other disorders. But there are still challenges ahead.

“As the prevalence of diabetes continues to grow around the world, it is important to understand the latest advancements in research so that clinicians can provide the best care to their patients, and patients can make informed choices that support improved health outcomes,” said lead author Dr E. Dale Abel, chair of the UCLA Department of Medicine. “This is an educational resource that integrates the latest research and trends in diabetes management, which may have implications for clinical practice as the diabetic patient population continues to grow.

“This review will be the go-to reference for physicians and researchers, providing a state-of-the-art update of where the field is currently, and where it is headed,” Abel added.

Most people are affected by type 2 diabetes, for which inadequate diet and obesity are important underlying causes. Type 1 diabetes accounts for fewer than 5% of all cases. As of 2021 about 529 million people around the world were diagnosed with diabetes, representing about 6.1% of the global population, or about one in 16 people. Prevalence in some regions is as high as 12.3%. Type 2 diabetes comprises about 96% of cases, with more than half due to obesity. Some 1.31 billion people are projected to have the disease by 2050, with prevalence rising as high as 16.8% in North Africa and the Middle East and 11.3% in Latin America and the Caribbean, the researchers write.

Genetics, the central nervous system, and the interplay between various organs as well as social and environmental factors such as food insecurity and air pollution play a role in development of diabetes.

But some recent discoveries represent significant strides toward managing and perhaps even reversing the disease. For instance, a 2019 study found that a 14-day course of the antibody teplizumab delayed the progression of type 1 diabetes from stage 1 to stage 3 by 24 months. A follow-up analysis in 2021 showed that the delay could be up to 32.5 months.

Based on these results, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved teplizumab as the first disease-modifying therapy for type 1 diabetes, the researchers write.

Advances in insulins with optimised pharmacokinetics, algorithm-driven subcutaneous insulin pumps, continuous glucose monitoring, and improved tools for self-management have significantly improved the quality of life and outcomes for people with stage 3 type 1 diabetes.

In addition, stem cells could replace insulin-producing cells that are lost in type 1 diabetes, Abel said.

For type 2 diabetes, three classes of glucose-lowering medicines that were introduced in the last 20 years – GLP1RAs (glucagon like peptide-1 receptor agonists), DPP-4 inhibitors, and SGLT-2 inhibitors – have enabled people to control their glucose levels without gaining weight and with a low risk of developing hypoglycaemia. Personalised and precision medicine approaches are being explored to target the molecular mechanisms behind diabetes. However, they must demonstrate that benefits are clinically superior to standard care and are cost-effective. Also, it remains to be seen if precision approaches can be implemented in all settings worldwide, including those with few resources.

Combinations of GLP1Ras and with molecules that target other receptors such as GIP have shown even greater efficacy in treating diabetes. Recent trials have also shown that they are very effective in treating obesity, certain types of heart failure and even sleep apnoea, in part because of their potency to induce weight loss and reduce inflammation. Clinical trials are now underway to test their efficacy in treating other disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Abel said.

“Advances in therapy now raise the hope of preventing or curing T1D and treating T2D in ways that not only improve metabolic homeostasis, but also concretely reduce the risk and progression of cardio-renal disease,” the researchers write. “Finally, as we understand and develop tools for discerning the underlying heterogeneity leading to diabetes and its complications, the stage will be set for targeting therapies and prevention strategies to optimize their impact, in ways that will be broadly applicable across diverse populations and availability of health care resources.”

Source: UCLA Health