New Breakthrough In Insulin Sensitivity

According to a new development, U.S. researchers now have a better understanding of insulin sensitivity. Their studies have concluded that by using an enzyme called CEH to remove cholesterol, they can slow the onset of type 2 diabetes, while, at the same time, reducing inflammation.

The study was conducted at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine. The results were also published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

“Although diabetes and heart disease often co-exist, current management of diabetes does not necessarily include cholesterol and/or inflammation control,” said Shobha Ghosh, who was the head researcher in the group.

The CEH Enzyme

The study used the a transgenic mouse model in order to determine how the CEH enzyme worked in its ability to remove cholesterol from cells. The study also looked at the idea of taking this removed cholesterol and making it available to high-density lipoprotein, or “good cholesterol”, as it is commonly referred to.

The scientists did find that cholesterol was removed from the body more readily by implementing this process. When these particular mice had the CEH trasngene expressed, they experienced a lower inflammation of fat tissue and their overall insulin sensitivity improved. The results were found to be true even though there was an equal weight gain in the mice.

The evidence uncovered may serve as a way to target new therapies that will help to predict those who may be susceptible to the metabolic condition. The hope is that this may serve as a way to one day help eliminate diabetes altogether.

Ghosh went on to add: “These studies provide the first evidence that targeting fat tissue inflammation, as well as elimination of cholesterol from the body, may be emerging new strategies to prevent diabetes.”