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(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Fighting diabetes could start in our fat cells. Researchers found killing off certain immune cells in fat and muscle can rapidly reverse insulin resistance.
Numerous studies have shown the dangerous cycle of obesity leading to insulin resistance, which can cause type 2 diabetes. Now, researchers think they may be on track to reverse insulin resistance and even diabetes.
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Using a genetic trick, researchers targeted specific subsets of so-called macrophage cells in fat and muscle tissue.
The treatment killed these cells within hours, and insulin resistance simply reversed itself, study author Jerrold Olefsky from the University of California, San Diego, was quoted as saying. It argues strongly that macrophages are causative for the inflammation that leads to diabetes [in those who are obese].
This latest study was performed in obese mice, so researchers say its not yet clear whether their findings will hold true for humans. However, they say these promising findings suggest targeting all macrophages may not be necessary to have a beneficial effect on the diseases associated with obesity.
Researchers also found the mice had less fat in their livers following treatment. Dr. Olefsky said if they can find a unique marker on the macrophages in human fat tissue, a drug could be designed to bind and kill those features. Or, he said, it could even be possible to convert the cells into another, less inflammatory type of cell. More research will need to be done to explore these options.
SOURCE: Cell Metabolism, 2008
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