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Written By: Editorial Team | Updated : October 7, 2014 5:26 PM IST
Providing a fresh ray of hope for diabetic patients, scientists have identified a new gene associated with fasting glucose and insulin levels in rats, mice and in humans. Researchers have identified a gene called Tpcn2, a variant of which was associated with fasting glucose levels in a rat model. The team has also identified variants within Tpcn2 associated with fasting insulin in humans.
Tpcn2 plays a role in insulin signalling. 'Genome-wide association studies in humans have identified 60+ genes linked to type 2 diabetes. As we continue to identify genes and variants of interest, we will evaluate them in multiple models to understand the mechanism of disease,' said Leah Solberg Woods, an associate professor of paediatrics at the Medical College of Wisconsin.
From their study of Tpcn2 knockout mice (a genetically engineered mouse in which researchers have inactivated an existing gene), the team demonstrated the difference in fasting glucose levels and insulin response between the knockout animals and regular mice. Glucose tolerance, insulin resistance and beta cell dysfunction are some main causes of type 2 diabetes.
The findings were published in the journal Genetics.
How to prevent diabetes?
Diabetes has already become a huge epidemic of our times, and the number of diabetics will keep on increasing over the next 20 years or probably beyond that. A lot is being said and written about controlling diabetes and living a healthy life with diabetes, but the prevention aspect of diabetes also needs to be highlighted. The most disturbing part of this disease is that you cannot tell if you're destined to be a diabetic. Therefore, it's better to take the right measures beforehand and keep diabetes at bay.
1. Get your sugar levels checked: A lot of people have prediabetes (fasting sugar: 100-125 mg/dl) and are totally clueless about it. A blood sugar test will help you to understand whether you're prediabetic and what are your chances of developing diabetes. If you get diagnosed with prediabetes, then you can take the right steps and prevent it from transforming into irreversible diabetes. Here are things you should know about prediabetes.
2. Change your lifestyle: Sometimes, small changes can make a huge difference. Lifestyle intervention for preventing diabetes is the best example for this. Several studies on diabetes prevention programme have proved that diabetes can be prevented effectively by giving up sedentary lifestyle and adopting healthier changes. Read more about 10 tips to prevent diabetes
With inputs from IANS
Photo source: Getty images
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