A study group at the University of Basel has recently demonstrated that inadequacies in the body’s insulin production contribute to obesity. Poor nutrition, too little movement and too many pounds on the scale influence the risk of metabolic diseases like diabetes. However, the relationship works the other way round as well, according to a research group led by Dr. Daniel Zeman-Meier of the university’s Department of Biomedicine and the University Hospital of Basel reports.
The findings of the study were published in the journal Nature Communications. If insulin production is compromised, as is the case in the early stages of type 2 diabetes, this can contribute to being overweight. The research team focused on protease PC1/3, a key enzyme in the body that transforms various inactive hormone precursors into the final, active forms. If this enzyme isn't functioning properly in a person, the result can be severe endocrine disorders. The consequences include a feeling of uncontrollable hunger and severe overweight.
"Until now, it was assumed that this dysregulation is caused by a lack of activation of satiety hormones. But when we turned off PC1/3 in the brains of mice, the animals' body weight did not change significantly,” Dr. Zeman-Meier.
The finding that a defect in the insulin-producing beta cells is a trigger of overweight opens up new therapeutic possibilities. For example, it is conceivable that medications could be used to reduce the production of immature insulin precursors, creating a new tool in the fight against overweight and diabetes.
