A new direction in the treatment of diabetes - the control of neurons may be the key

Scientists at the University of Washington have made a breakthrough in their study of diabetes. They have found that overactivity of AgRP neurons, which are located in the hypothalamus of the brain and play a key role in controlling appetite, may be a major cause of type 2 diabetes. The results of this study were published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation (JCI).

Until now, the main cause of type 2 diabetes has been insulin resistance. Insulin resistance occurs when the body's cells become less responsive to the hormone insulin, and this condition is thought to be associated with factors such as obesity, poor diet, and lack of exercise.

However, in a new study, scientists have taken a completely new approach to the development of diabetes. They have found that overactivity of AgRP neurons in the hypothalamus plays a crucial role in raising blood sugar levels above normal. Interestingly, this condition may not be directly related to body weight or insulin sensitivity.

In the experiment, researchers blocked the signals of AgRP neurons using viral gene therapy using diabetic mice. The result was unexpected even for scientists: the animals' blood sugar levels normalized, while their body weight and appetite remained unchanged. This experiment showed that it is wrong to associate diabetes only with excess weight and insulin sensitivity.

Thus, it was confirmed that hyperactivity of AgRP neurons can be considered an important factor in the development of diabetes. According to the researchers, modern diabetes drugs, such as Ozempic, affect these neurons. However, how these drugs affect neurons has not been studied in sufficient depth, and this area requires further research.

In the next stages, scientists plan to determine why AgRP neurons become hyperactive and whether there are safe and effective ways to control their activity. Research in this direction will not only help to better understand the mechanisms of diabetes, but also pave the way for the development of revolutionary methods for treating this disease in the future.

Overall, this discovery significantly changes the perception of diabetes and opens up new prospects for medical researchers. If scientists develop a method for correctly controlling the activity of AgRP neurons, this could be an additional tool that will help improve the lives of millions of people. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!