Researchers have identified several candidate genes and loci associated with variation in the acute insulin response to glucose (AIRg), including those involved in phosphorylation and ion transport.

Genetic factors play an important role in an individual’s risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. Stephen Rich (University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA) and co-workers attempted to identify genes and regions in the human genome that are associated with the AIRg, a direct measure of beta-cell response and an important predictor of Type 2 diabetes.

The team performed a two-stage genome-wide association scan to analyze single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in Hispanic-American participants from the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Family Study.

In the first stage, 317K SNPs were assessed in 229 Hispanic-American DNA samples from participants without Type 2 diabetes who had complete data for glucose homeostasis and obesity phenotypes available.

A total of 1536 SNPs with evidence of association were chosen for genotyping in the 1190 Hispanic samples for which glucose homeostasis data were available.

The researchers identified multiple regions of the human genome as likely to harbor genes contributing to variation in AIRg.

No individual SNP achieved genome-wide levels of significance, the authors report in the journal Diabetologia. However, “two regions, 6p21 and 20p11, were notable in having associations at more than one SNP,” they write.

Additional genotyping in these regions highlighted several candidate genes that may contribute to variation in AIRg. These included a gene desert in chromosome 6p21 (containing PXT1, KCTD20, and STK38) and several genes in chromosome 20p11 (ENTPD6, PYGB, GINS1, and RP4-691N24.1).

“The latter series of genes suggests a mechanism of action that could be involved in phosphorylation and ion transport,” note the authors.

The genes and loci identified in this study explain a small component of variation in AIRg. “The genes identified are involved in phosphorylation and ion transport, and provide preliminary evidence that these processes are important in beta cell response,” conclude the authors.

MedWire (www.medwire-news.md) is an independent clinical news service provided by Current Medicine Group, a part of Springer Science+Business Media. © Current Medicine Group Ltd; 2009

Free abstract

Diabetes affects about 24 million Americans or about 8% of the population. It is a disease that is characterized by high levels of blood sugar caused by malfunctioning insulin production. An insulin resistant individual becomes diabetic when the pancreas can no longer put out sufficient insulin to lower the blood sugar and the organ becomes exhausted. ? The pancreas is controlled by hormonal feedback mechanisms. Acute and chronic infections create hormonal chaos in the body. Periodontal disease is the most widespread infectious disease on the planet, consequently provokes a great deal of chaos. ?

The sugars found in the mouth aid in gum disease. The constant introduction and presence of sugar in the mouth (like a sippy cup with juice), feed the bacteria that leads to periodontal disease. ? Blood vessels in a diabetic are also compromised. They thicken and slow the delivery of oxygen to the extremities. Likewise, they slow the removal of waste from these tissues. All of which lowers the defense to infection, including periodontal infection. ?

A Dentistry Today publication detailed the link between periodontal disease and diabetes. Those with diabetes have more severe periodontal issues and those with periodontal disease have a more difficult time controlling their diabetes. The link is found in both adults and children. About 50 percent of children have periodontal disease according to the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford University Medical Center. Unfortunately the symptoms of periodontal disease are often not noticeable until the disease is advanced. A dentist can diagnose the disease in the early stages, prior to parents realizing their children have it. Thus, it is important that children with diabetes receive regular oral check ups. ?

A study at the School of Dental Medicine at the University at Buffalo found that obesity is significantly related to periodontal disease through the pathway of insulin resistance. Sara Grossi, director of the UB Periodontal Disease Research Center and lead author of the study said, “Now we see a relationship between obesity, insulin resistance and periodontal disease in a large, population-based cohort. This relationship is significant because obesity is an important risk factor for Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.” (http://www.sdm.buffalo.edu/news/20000408_obesity.html) Today, adults and children with diabetes have a better chance of keeping this disease under control. Besides diet, it also takes diligence and thoroughness in oral health.

If you’re diabetic and suffer from nerve pain, there is hope. It has been proven that exercise slows nerve damage in the patient. If you haven’t had much exercise for a while, do something that is comfortable and enjoyable. You want it to be an activity that you wake up and look forward to, not one that you dread. Start slow and increase how long you do it, little by little. The idea here is to make it a habit. A very good one at that.

Exercise not only helps slow nerve damage but also helps in controlling blood sugar levels, provides cardiovascular fitness that protects against heart and artery disease, and aides in helping you to feel good both physically and mentally. If you’re overweight, any amount of exercise will assist you in weight loss. The recommended activity level per day is thirty minutes. However, starting at ten or fifteen minutes and working up to the thirty-minute goal if a good place to start your program out.

Kickboxing, aerobics, biking, racquetball… these are all fun activities, while giving your body a much need workout in order to maintain a healthy heart and nervous system. Find something you enjoy and getting out to do it will be a pleasure not a pain.

It is always a good idea to check with your doctor before starting any exercise program to make sure you’re ready for the plunge. If he clears you for a ‘go’, don’t let anything stop you. Start walking your way to better health.