NEWS
Researchers at Lund University in Sweden
have found a new type of biomarker that
can predict the risk of Type 2 diabetes, by
detecting epigenetic changes in specific
genes through a simple blood test.
"This could motivate a person at
risk to change their lifestyle", said Karl
Bacos, researcher in epigenetics at
Lund University. Predicting the onset of
diabetes is already possible by measuring
the blood glucose level average, HbA1C,
over time. However, it is considered that
the predictive potential of this method is
modest and new methods are needed.
The discoveries made by the research
group at Lund University have now made
it possible to measure the presence of socalled DNA
methylations in four specific
genes, and thereby predict who is at
risk of developing type 2 diabetes, long
before the disease occurs. Methylations
are chemical changes that control
gene activity, that is, whether they are
active or not. They found that the DNA
methylations in the four genes in question
BLOOD TEST TO SHOW T2 RISK
increased, depending on the donor's age.
This in turn affected the activity of the
genes. When these changes were copied
in cultured beta cells, they proved to have
a positive effect on insulin secretion. "We
could then see the same DNA methylation
changes in the blood", said Bacos.
"Increased insulin secretion actually
protects against type 2 diabetes. It could
be the body's way of protecting itself
when other tissue becomes resistant
to insulin, which often happens as we
get older", says professor and research
project manager Charlotte Ling. The
research group has previously shown that
age, diet and exercise affect the so-called
epigenetic risk of type 2 diabetes. "You
cannot change your genes and the risks
that they entail, but epigenetics means
that you can affect the DNA methylations,
and thereby gene activity, through lifestyle
choices", she added.
The results were published in Nature
Communications. To see the article click
here: www.nature.com
Our free online magazine
for people with diabetes
sent to your inbox each month.
News, views, reviews, features,
free samples and giveaways.
Sign up with your email address!
email address
continued over
This year's annual DRWF Diabetes
Wellness Day South is being held on
25 June from 9:30am to 3:30pm at The
Solent Hotel, Whiteley, Hampshire.
The Diabetes Research & Wellness
Foundation (DRWF) charity raises public
awareness and funds to tackle Type
1 and Type 2 diabetes. Each year the
programme changes to focus on the
many different subjects that affect people
living with diabetes. This year the talks will
run as satellite sessions and be repeated
throughout the day covering topics such
as Diabetes in the 21st Century given by
an expert about the latest advances in
blood glucose monitoring, insulin pumps,
injection pens and what to expect in the
near future, as well as Tabs and jabs, facts
about medication and the latest tablets
and insulins.
There's a minimal fee to attend (£5)
but do register to attend via the website:
www.drwf.org.uk/events
TABS AND JABS