Molecule mimics some
effect of physical exercise
Researchers at
the Université Laval Faculty of Medicine, the Quebec Heart and Lung Institute
Research Center, and the Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods have
discovered a natural molecule that could be used to treat insulin resistance
and type 2 diabetes.
The molecule, a derivative of omega-3 fatty acids, mimics
some of the effects of physical exercise on blood glucose regulation.
The details of the
discovery made by Professor André Marette and his team are published today in Nature Medicine.
It has been known for
some time that omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce insulin resistance caused by
a diet high in saturated fat. In their earlier work, André Marette and his
colleagues had linked these effects to a bioactive lipid called protectin D1.
In investigating further, they discovered that another member of the same
family named protectin DX (PDX) triggers the production and release of
interleukin 6 (IL-6) in muscle cells, a response that also occurs during
physical exercise.
The researchers used
transgenic mice lacking the IL-6 gene to demonstrate the link between PDX and
IL-6. PDX had very little effect on the control of blood glucose in these
animals. In similar tests conducted on obese diabetic rats, PDX was shown to
dramatically improve responsiveness to insulin, the hormone which regulates
blood glucose. "The mechanism of action described for PDX represents a new
therapeutic strategy for improving glucose control," proposes the
researcher. "Its efficacy may be comparable with that of certain drugs
currently prescribed to control glycemia."
Even though PDX appears
to mimic the effect of physical exercise by triggering IL-6 secretion in the
muscles, André Marette warns that it is not a substitute for physical activity.
"Exercise has cardiovascular and other hormonal benefits that go well
beyond its metabolic effects on the muscles," adds the researcher whose
work is supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the
Canadian Diabetes Association.
Professor Marette and
Université Laval have filed a patent application for PDX and its therapeutic
applications. "For us, the next step is to demonstrate the antidiabetic effects
in humans and determine the receptor through which PDX acts."
In addition to André
Marette, the study is authored by Phillip White, Philippe St-Pierre, Alexandre
Charbonneau, Patricia Mitchell, Emmanuelle St-Amand, and Bruno Marcotte.
Story Source:
The above story is
based on materials provided
by Université Laval. Note: Materials may be edited for
content and length.
Journal
Reference:
1. Phillip J White, Philippe St-Pierre, Alexandre Charbonneau,
Patricia L Mitchell, Emmanuelle St-Amand, Bruno Marcotte, André Marette. Protectin DX alleviates
insulin resistance by activating a myokine-liver glucoregulatory axis. Nature Medicine, 2014; DOI: 10.1038/nm.3549
Cite
This Page:
Université
Laval. "Scientists discover a natural molecule to treat type 2 diabetes:
Molecule mimics some effect of physical exercise." Science
Daily, 12 May 2014.
<www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/05/140512112547.htm>.