Valencia, Oct 18 (EFE) .- Scientists of the Health Research Institute of the Clinical Hospital of Valencia-Incliva, have shown that CDK5A/2B genes protect against insulin resistance and fatty liver.
The investigation, directed by Dr. Herminia González and carried out by the inflammation research group, has been published in the International BBA, Molecular Basis of Diseases and
As explained by Dr. González, "the project has its origin in its own preceding studies in which reduced levels of the IRS2 gene were associated to the development of insulin resistance in subjects with metabolic syndrome."
From there they decided to study in a genetically modified mouse model, which develops insulin resistance caused by a defect in insulin signage.
In this animal model it was observed that the overexpression of these CDK2A/2B genes improves the functioning of glucose metabolism, reduces insulin resistance and inflammation and protects against the development of fatty liver.
"The results have allowed us to launch a second phase. In this, the interaction of these two genes is being investigated in patients," said Herminia González.
According to the researchers, "if the results are confirmed, a therapeutic route is opened based on the modulation of these genes in order to reduce insulin resistance and diabetes associated with it."
Diabetes is a chronic disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of blood sugar as a result of a malfunction of the pancreas, which does not correctly secrete insulin (which is the hormone that controls blood sugar).In Spain it is estimated that 12% of the population suffers from type 2 diabetes.
The importance of this disease is due not only to its high prevalence, but also to the devastating chronic complications that causes, at its high mortality rate and the enormous cost of national health systems.