Lecture 5 - T2DM Flashcards
Diabetes risk genes: how many loci have been identified, what do the genes cause, and what are some examples?
More than 80 loci identified
Genes identified so far mainly affect β-cell function or βcell mass and not insulin resistance
Examples include:
* TCF7L2 – decrease incretin signalling – most important gene so far
* KCNJ11 – kATP channel
* SLC30A8 – Zn²⁺ transport in insulin granules via ZnT8
* HHEX – transcription factor for pancreas development
* CDKN2A/B – cell cycle regulation
Polymorphism
The presence of different variant forms of a gene
Diabetes stats: how many people are affected in the UK and globally and how many are caused by T2DM?
> 830 million people globally (WHO (2022))
5.6 million in the UK (Diabetes UK (2024))
Likely much higher - undiagnosed
T2DM accounts for 90% of cases
Epigenetics in diabetes: what is historical example and what is a current day example?
Low birth weight is associated with insulin resistance and diabetes in offspring (e.g. Dutch Famine 1944-45)
BUT babies born to mothers with diabetes are also at high risk - modification of genes associated with β-cell function, epigenetic changes may be
inherited
Environmental factors in diabetes formation
Physical inactivity - exercising for 30 mins or more per day halves
risk of developing T2DM
- Obesity:
- Total adiposity and distribution
- Increased waist circumference = increased risk
- Subcutaneous vs visceral fat (visceral = higher risk)
Insulin resistance: what is the molecular mechanism behind it and what is an example?
Chronic low grade inflammation arises from adipose tissue in response to over-nutrition – e.g. TNFα, IL1, IL6, CRP, leptin, adiponectin, etc
Cytokines and other factors can interfere with different aspects of insulin receptor signalling:
* At the level of the insulin receptor
* Downstream signalling pathways
- e.g. cytokines activate stress
kinases which inhibit IRS-1
At what point is nutrient overload?
Effects of nutrient overload
dependent on:
* Genetic predisposition
* Epigenetic programming
* Multifactorial
os: what is it?
oxidative stress (damage)
Gestational diabetes: what is one way it may occur?
Islet cell expansion doesn’t occur as weight increases - one way it occurs
Types of type 2 diabetes drugs
- Insulin secretagogues
- Incretin therapies
- Reduce glucose supply
- Insulin sensitizers
Insulin secretagogues: what do they do and what are some examples?
Act on kATP channels to release insulin despite glucose presence
- Sulphonylureas
- Meglitinides
Incretin therapies: what do they do and what are some examples?
Utilise GLP-1 pathway to increase its effect - Ideal drug choice for people with diabetes and high risk factors for CVD and renal disease
- GLP-1 receptor
- GIP receptor agonists
- DPP-IV inhibitors
Reduce glucose supply: what do they do and what are some examples?
Reduce/slows glucose absorption in the GI tract
- α-Glucosidases
- Amylin analogues
- SGLT2 inhibitors
Insulin sensitizers: what do they do and what are some examples?
Reduce circulating FFA and their intrinsic insulin resistance inducing effects
- Thiazolidinediones (TZDs)
- Biguanides
Sulphonylureas and meglitinides: what type of diabetes medication are they and what do they do?
Insulin secretagogues
bind to SUR1 subunit of kATP, causing activation despite glucose presence
leccy
GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists and DPP-IV inhibitors: what type of diabetes medication are they and what do they do?
Incretin therapies
Promote:
* Beta cell proliferation
* Neogenesis
* Augmentation of secretion
* Enhanced cAMP production
* Activation of PKA and Epac