November 20, 2001 – Diabetes research has just taken a giant leap forward thanks to a Quebec researcher who, during a study, succeeded in isolating an enzyme that would be at the origin of the onset of type II diabetes in people with obesity induced by a high fat diet. The enzyme in question is called iNOS (inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase) and decreases the action of insulin in glucose metabolism by producing abnormal amounts of nitric oxide. This enzyme is therefore involved in the development of insulin resistance in obese people.
The study also showed that mice whose iNOS was genetically suppressed were protected against the development of type II diabetes associated with obesity.1 This discovery should have major consequences, both medically and socioeconomically. In fact, an estimated 150 million people suffer from diabetes worldwide, including more than two million in Canada. Type II diabetes, known as non-insulin dependent, affects 90 to 95% of people with the disease in Canada. It usually appears after 45 years, but recently, more and more cases are reported in young people, due to increasing obesity.
Diabetes is a chronic disease that weakens the body’s ability to make or use insulin properly, a hormone secreted by the pancreas and essential for converting energy from the foods we eat. Type II diabetes causes hyperglycemia (excessive sugar levels in the blood) and can cause complications such as kidney or heart disease, stroke, blindness and impotence. 2
Élisabeth Mercader – PasseportSanté.net
According to L’Actualité Médicale of November 14, 2001. Major Quebec discovery on diabetes.
1. Perreault M, Marette A. Targeted disruption of inducible nitric oxide synthase protects against obesity-linked insulin resistance in muscle.Nat Med 2001 Oct; 7 (10): 1138-43.
2. Health Canada. What is diabetes? [Consulté le 20-11-2001]. http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hppb/ahi/diabetes/francais/whatisdiabetes/index.html
