IIT Kanpur Research: New research by IIT Kanpur on diabetes has revealed a surprising finding. How do certain cells, which protect the body from disease, affect the production of insulin? Learn more in the report.
IIT Kanpur Research
Diabetes is one of the fastest-growing health problems today. This disease causes elevated blood sugar levels. This occurs when the body doesn't produce enough insulin or when insulin doesn't perform its function properly. Now, in a new study, researchers at IIT Kanpur have uncovered another important insight into this condition: certain cells in our bodies that protect us from disease and infection.
These cells of the body hinder the formation of insulin.
Our body contains an organ called the pancreas. It plays a crucial role in controlling blood sugar. Beta cells within this organ produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps transport blood sugar to other cells. Research at IIT Kanpur has revealed the role of immune cells called macrophages. These cells protect the body from infection and disease. However, research has shown that they affect the function of beta cells, causing them to slow down the release of insulin. This increases the risk of worsening blood sugar levels in the body.
Certain types of fats also play an important role.
Researchers found that macrophage cells release certain types of fats into the body, called sphingolipids. These fats reach beta cells and signal them to stop releasing insulin. Furthermore, the research also revealed the role of a receptor called GPR18. Simply put, these fats released from one type of cell in the body affect the function of other cells. When scientists attempted to block this process, improvements in insulin release were observed. This helped scientists understand how different cells in the body influence each other's function.
Will this research help in the treatment of diabetes?
In this research, scientists also studied human pancreatic tissue. Signs of this process were also observed there. This does not mean that a cure for diabetes has been found. More research is needed. Scientists are trying to understand how stopping this process can help insulin-producing cells function better.
