A drug used to treat cyanide poisoning might also be used to treat type 2 diabetes, researchers have revealed.
The discovery comes from a linked discovery of a gene linked to leanness, conducted at the University of Edinburgh, UK, and the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Researchers discovered that a protein called TST helps to detoxify fat cells from harmful products accumulated from a high calorie diet.
The study of laboratory mice found that lean animals had high levels of this protein – also known as thiosulphate.
The protein was discovered 80 years ago as doctors studied how the body protects itself against cyanide poisoning.
The study, reported in Nature Medicine, found that the protein seemed to improve diabetes symptoms in the animals.
Researcher Professor Simon Horvat, of the University of Ljubljana, said: "For the last two decades, the field of obesity genetics has been successful in identifying genes linked to rare inherited types of obesity. These genes are mostly associated with the brain and have effects on appetite and energy balance.
"By focusing on obesity resistance rather than susceptibility, we have identified a more common genetic trait linked to leanness. Our findings highlight the importance of the fat tissue in peripheral control of body weight and metabolism."
Meanwhile a joint Swedish and French research project has reported epigenomic alterations triggered by obesity and potentially causing type 2 diabetes.
The study, reported in Nature Medicine, shows changes to gene expression that trigger inflammation and diabetes.
The project was conducted by the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and from the Institute of Health and Medical Research – INSERM – in France.
The researchers examined the G-protein pathway suppressor 2 – GPS2. They found GPS2 levels are reduced in the adipose tissue of obese people with diabetes.
Researcher Nicolas Venteclef, from Paris, said: ”The findings point to a causal and potentially reversible relationship between inappropriate expression and function of the complex, the extent of adipose tissue inflammation, and systemic insulin resistance towards type 2 diabetes."
Loss of the corepressor GPS2 sensitizes macrophage activation upon metabolic stress induced by obesity and type 2 diabetes. Nature Medicine 7 June 2016
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