New understanding of how insulin secretion is regulated in the body

A recent development in our understanding of how insulin secretion is regulated in the body could lead to important implications for drugs currently used to treat Type 2 diabetes.

A team led by Dr Vincent Poitout of the University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM) studied the G protein-coupled free fatty acid receptor (FFA1/GPR40), which is a molecule that plays an important role in stimulating and regulating the production of insulin.

The team found that glucose in the blood stimulates the expression of the receptor, which then prompts the body to produce insulin. They were able to map the intricate pathway taken in this process, as well as the various genetic and cellular processes which were activated.

The new findings will assist in the formation of new drugs for Type 2 diabetes by successfully mapping precisely how the expression of GPR40 is controlled. Poitout commented on the developments, saying: "Our work has contributed to a better understanding of how these new drugs work. Our ultimate goal is to allow type 2 diabetes patients to lead a healthy life free from the many complications associated with this disease."

Many experts in the UK agree that there has been a significant increase in the number of people with diabetes. Since 1996 the number of people diagnosed with diabetes has increased from 1.4 million to 2.9 million, and this number is expected to grow to over four million by 2025.

Posted by Ben Evans