Link Between Obesity and Diabetes Discovered

While physicians have long been aware that being overweight or obese can lead to developing Type 2 diabetes, the specific link between the two conditions has not been exactly clear. New research may have helped identify the exact correlation between obesity and Type 2 diabetes and given insight that can lead to the development of new medications.

A Monash University study led by Associate Professor Matthew Watt discovered that fat cells release a novel protein called PEDF, or pigment epithelium-derived factor. These proteins seem to be the catalyst for the chain reaction that eventually leads to Type 2 diabetes.

According to Watt, “When PEDF is released into the bloodstream, it causes the muscle and liver to become desensitized to insulin. The pancreas then produces more insulin to counteract these negative effects. This insulin release causes the pancreas to become overworked, eventually slowing or stopping insulin release from the pancreas, leading to Type 2 diabetes.”

This study showed that increasing the amount of PEDF in the blood caused complications associated with Type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, researchers reported that blocking PEDF reversed the effects. Researchers believed that blocking PEDF eliminated the need for excess insulin to regulate the body. This discovery may be useful in developing new medications to treat Type 2 diabetes.