New findings reveal the collaboration of zinc, pH levels, and insulin in preventing the accumulation of protein clumps that are linked to Type 2 diabetes.
Globally, around 462 million individuals are affected by Type 2 diabetes, a chronic condition where the body struggles to utilize sugar effectively, causing sugar levels in the blood to rise and leading to various health complications.
Research conducted by Ayyalusamy Ramamoorthy, a professor at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering and affiliated with the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory at Florida State University, illustrates how zinc, pH levels, and insulin coordinate to prevent the accumulation of protein clumps associated with this condition. The findings, which promise new treatment avenues, have been published in Communications Biology.
This study centers on the complex relationship between insulin and the hormone amylin, also known as human islet amyloid polypeptide (hiAPP). Amylin is a naturally occurring peptide hormone involved in regulating blood sugar and energy balance. However, in humans, amylin can form amyloid fibers that can damage the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
“Our research aims to clarify how insulin impacts amylin aggregation and its related toxicity,” explained Ramamoorthy, the lead investigator of the study. “These elements are essential for grasping the mechanisms behind Type 2 diabetes.”
What distinguishes this study is its novel approach to enhancing insulin’s protective effects against the detrimental influence of IAPP. As research continues, the possibility of developing new treatments for the millions facing Type 2 diabetes becomes more tangible.
“Amylin is produced in the pancreas along with insulin and tends to aggregate into amyloid structures,” noted Sam McCalpin, a post-doctoral researcher in Ramamoorthy’s lab at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory. “These resemble the plaques observed in neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.”
Scientists are keen on creating medications that can either dismantle these aggregates or prevent their formation. In Type 2 diabetes patients, amylin tends to cluster into harmful amyloid plaques, which can severely impact the islet cells that produce hormones. However, insulin shows promise as a potential ally by exhibiting the ability to inhibit amylin aggregation. This research unveils the complexities of their interaction, as well as the roles of zinc and pH, bringing researchers closer to unlocking the cellular mysteries of diabetes.
“There is some evidence that insulin may provide assistance, but it lacks sufficient strength to directly influence Type 2 diabetes,” McCalpin added. “Therefore, we aim to use insulin as a basis for designing more effective therapies in the future.”
The findings are not merely theoretical; they also propose practical applications. According to Ramamoorthy, this research will aid in the development of drugs that neutralize amylin’s toxic effects. Such advancements hold the potential to revolutionize treatment strategies, offering hope to those grappling with this widespread disease.
Co-authors of this research include Bernd Reif from the Technical University of Munich, Madalena Ivanova from the University of Michigan, and Lucie Khemtemourian from the University of Bordeaux.
This project received funding from the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
