Genetics of type 2 diabetes

Reduced circulating sphingolipids and CERS2 activity are linked to T2D risk and impaired insulin secretion

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), a transient form of diabetes that resolves postpartum, is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes (T2D) in women. While the progression from GDM to T2D is not fully understood, it involves both genetic and environmental components. By integrating clinical, metabolomic, and genome-wide association study (GWAS) data, we identified associations between decreased sphingolipid biosynthesis and future T2D, in part through the rs267738 allele of the CERS2 gene in Hispanic women shortly after a GDM pregnancy. To understand the impact of the CERS2 gene and risk allele on glucose regulation, we examined whole-body Cers2 knockout and rs267738 knock-in mice. Both models exhibited glucose intolerance and impaired insulin secretion in vivo. Islets isolated from these models also demonstrated reduced β cell function, as shown by decreased insulin secretion ex vivo. Overall, reduced circulating sphingolipids may indicate a high risk of GDM-to-T2D progression and reflect deficits in CERS2 activity that negatively affect glucose homeostasis and β cell function.

Significant Association Between Genetic Polymorphism of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-2 mRNA Binding Protein-2 and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Population-Based Case-Control Study

OBJECTIVES

To determine the association between IGF2BP2 polymorphisms and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

METHODS

This study involved 422 individuals, 214 diabetes mellitus cases, and 208 healthy controls. The PCR-RFLP technique was used to determine the genotype of the IGF2BP2 gene for the SNPs rs4402960 (G>T) and rs1470579 (A>C).

RESULTS

The results showed that the C allele of the rs1470579 variant and the T allele of the rs440960 variant were significantly associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus group (p = 0.0029 and 0.0001) as reported for both alleles, respectively. High frequencies of haplotypes TA and TC were observed in type 2 diabetes patients.

CONCLUSION

The present study showed that IGF2BP2 rs1470579 and rs4402960 polymorphism were significantly associated with the increased risk of T2DM in the Saudi Arabian population and presented a genetic model to screen the high-risk individuals with further validations.

Corporate genome screening India (CoGsI) identified genetic variants association with T2D in young Indian professionals

Rising cases of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in India, especially in metropolitan cities is an increasing concern. The individuals that were most affected are young professionals working in the corporate sector. However, the corporate sector has remained the least explored for T2D risk predisposition. Considering corporate employees' lifestyles and the role of gene-environment interaction in T2D susceptibility, the study aims to find genetic variants associated with T2D predisposition. In this first kind of study, 680 young professionals (284 T2D cases, and 396 controls) were diagnosed and screened for 2658 variants on an array designed explicitly for the CoGsI study. The variant filtering was done at Bonferroni p-value of 0.000028. The genetic data was analysed using PLINK v1.09, SPSS, R programming, VEP tool, and FUMA GWAS tool. Interestingly, 42 variants were associated with the T2D risk. Out of 42, three missense variants (rs1402467, rs6050, and rs713598) in Sulfotransferase family 1 C member 4 (SULT1C4), Fibrinogen Alpha Chain (FGA), and Taste 2 Receptor Member 38 (TAS2R38) and two untranslated region (UTR) variants (rs1063320 and rs6296) in Major Histocompatibility Complex, Class I, G (HLA-G) and 5-Hydroxytryptamine Receptor 1B (HTR1B) were associated with the T2D risk. CoGsI identified potential genomic markers increasing susceptibility to the early onset of T2D. Present findings provide insights into mechanisms underlying T2D manifestation in corporate professionals due to genetics interacting with occupational stress and urban lifestyles.

The Rise of Type 2 Diabetes in Children and Adolescents: An Emerging Pandemic

AIM

This review explores the increasing prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in children and adolescents, focusing on its etiology, risk factors, complications, and the importance of early detection and management. It also highlights the need for a multidisciplinary, family-centered approach in managing T2DM in pediatric populations, with an emphasis on nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle interventions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A literature review was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus to incorporate studies from 2015 to 2024 on T2DM in youths/adolescents/children, focusing on epidemiology, risk factors, and prevention strategies. Studies on Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) or adult populations were excluded.

RESULTS

T2DM is a complex metabolic disorder with various societal, behavioral, environmental, and genetic risk factors. It accounts for one in three new childhood diabetes cases, with rising incidence among American Indian/Alaska Native, Black, and Hispanic/Latino children. The increase in T2DM incidence correlates with growing childhood obesity rates. Early onset significantly raises the risk of complications like retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, cardiovascular diseases, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and obstructive sleep apnea. Early detection, screening, and treatment can prevent or delay these complications. A family-centered, multidisciplinary approach is essential for effective management, including lifestyle and behavioral support.

CONCLUSIONS

T2DM in children is a growing health concern with severe implications. Early detection and management, including nutrition and exercise counseling, are critical in reducing long-term complications. A multidisciplinary approach is vital for improving outcomes and minimizing morbidity and mortality.

Prevalence of obesity, determinants, and its association with hyperglycaemia among community dwelling older adolescents in India

BACKGROUND

Globally, obesity and diabetes mellitus (DM) are emergent public health concerns in the adolescent population. India, home to the largest adolescent population and the second largest diabetes cohort is experiencing rapid but unplanned urbanization, with accompanying unhealthy nutritional transition, and sedentary lifestyle.

AIM

To determine prevalence and determinants of obesity and hyperglycaemia and their association among community-dwelling older adolescents (15-19 years) in India.

METHODS

This cross-sectional analysis from the national family health survey-5 included data of 258028 adolescents aged 15-19 across India (2019-2021). The survey employed stratified two-stage sampling, with systematic random sampling in rural and urban areas. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, bivariate, and multivariable logistic regression, employing generalized linear models.

RESULTS

The weighted prevalence of DM was 1.09% including 0.77% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.72-0.83] previously diagnosed and 0.32% (95%CI: 0.29-0.35) newly diagnosed cases detected on survey screening. On adjusted analysis, increasing age, higher education levels, higher wealth index, and overweight/obesity were the factors significantly associated with presence of DM. Only 61% of the adolescents with previously diagnosed DM were on anti-diabetes treatment. The weighted prevalence of overweight/obesity among older adolescents was 6.9% with significantly higher odds in the male sex, having higher educational levels, urban residence, and those with a higher wealth index.

CONCLUSION

Nearly one in hundred older adolescents in India have diabetes, with one in three undiagnosed. Strengthening DM screening and treatment access among adolescents through public health programs is urgently warranted.

Engineered tools to study endocrine dysfunction of pancreas

Pancreas, a vital organ with intricate endocrine and exocrine functions, is central to the regulation of the body's glucose levels and digestive processes. Disruptions in its endocrine functions, primarily regulated by islets of Langerhans, can lead to debilitating diseases such as diabetes mellitus. Murine models of pancreatic dysfunction have contributed significantly to the understanding of insulitis, islet-relevant immunological responses, and the optimization of cell therapies. However, genetic differences between mice and humans have severely limited their clinical translational relevance. Recent advancements in tissue engineering and microfabrication have ushered in a new era of in vitro models that offer a promising solution. This paper reviews the state-of-the-art engineered tools designed to study endocrine dysfunction of the pancreas. Islet on a chip devices that allow precise control of various culture conditions and noninvasive readouts of functional outcomes have led to the generation of physiomimetic niches for primary and stem cell derived islets. Live pancreatic slices are a new experimental tool that could more comprehensively recapitulate the complex cellular interplay between the endocrine and exocrine parts of the pancreas. Although a powerful tool, live pancreatic slices require more complex control over their culture parameters such as local oxygenation and continuous removal of digestive enzymes and cellular waste products for maintaining experimental functionality over long term. The combination of islet-immune and slice on chip strategies can guide the path toward the next generation of pancreatic tissue modeling for better understanding and treatment of endocrine pancreatic dysfunctions.

(Poly)phenols and diabetes: From effects to mechanisms by systematic multigenomic analysis

Diabetes is a chronic and multifactorial metabolic disease with increasing numbers of patients worldwide, characterized by loss of pancreatic β-cell mass and function with subsequent insulin deficiency. Thus, restoring functional β-cells could significantly impact disease management. The beneficial effects of natural compounds, namely (poly)phenols, in diabetes have gained increasing interest, due to their pleiotropic actions in several cellular processes, including in glucose homeostasis. These compounds are able to modulate nutri(epi)genomic mechanisms by interacting with cell signaling proteins and transcription factors (TFs). However, the underlying mechanisms of action, particularly of (poly)phenol metabolites resulting from digestion and colonic microbiota action, are yet to be elucidated. This study explored the multigenomic effects of (poly)phenols and their metabolites to uncover modulatory networks and mechanisms linked to diabetes. Published studies on gene expression alterations modulated by (poly)phenolic compounds or (poly)phenol-rich extracts were integrated, encompassing studies conducted on individuals with diabetes, animal models mimicking diabetes, and pancreatic β-cell lines. Bioinformatic analysis identified differentially expressed genes and potential regulatory factors, with roles in cell signaling pathways (FoxO, AMPK, p53), endocrine resistance, immune system pathways, apoptosis, and cellular senescence. Interestingly, in silico 3D docking analyses revealed potential interactions between key TFs (FOXO1, PPARG, SIRT1, and MAFA) and some metabolites. Apigenin, luteolin, and naringenin glucuronide forms showed the best binding capacity to SIRT1. The integrative analysis of (poly)phenol metabolites data highlights the potential of these molecules for nutraceutical/pharmaceutical development aimed at managing diabetes whose incidence increases with age.

Role of NQO1 Gene Involvement and Susceptibility of T2DM Among Saudi Arabia Population

NQO1 disruption enhances susceptibility to oxidative stress during hyperglycemia and is a significant contributor to the development and progression of diabetes. Oxidative stress has been linked to several symptoms, including hyperglycemia, reactive oxygen species buildup, high blood pressure, and the expression of inflammatory markers. Therefore, the present research aimed to evaluate the genetic abnormality of NQO1 (rs1800566, C609T) gene polymorphism, expression, and vitamin-D level assessment among Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. The study included 100 newly diagnosed T2DM cases and 100 healthy individuals as healthy controls. Total RNA was extracted from the whole blood using the TRIzol method, and further cDNA was synthesized, and expression was evaluated. There is a significant difference in NQO1 (rs1800566, C609T) genotype distribution among the T2DM patients and healthy controls (p = 0.04). Compared with the NQO1 CC wild-type genotype, the NQO1 CT heterozygous genotype had an odds ratio of 1.96 (1.08-3.55), and the NQO1 TT mutant type genotype had an odds ratio of 3.31 (0.61-17.77). Significantly decreased expression of NQO1 mRNA was observed with heterozygous CT (p < 0.0001) and homozygous mutant TT genotype (p = 0.0004), compared with homozygous wild-type CC genotype. NQO1 mRNA expression level was also compared with vitamin D levels among the T2DM patients. T2DM patients with vitamin D deficiency had 1.83-fold NQO1 mRNA expression, while vitamin D insufficient and sufficient T2DM cases had 3.31-fold (p < 0.0001) and 3.70-fold (p < 0.0001) NQO1 mRNA expression. It was concluded that NQO1 (rs1800566, C609T) CT and TT genotypes played a significant role in the worseness of type II diabetes mellitus, and decreased expression of NQO1 mRNA expression could be an essential factor for disease worseness as well as hypermethylation could be a factor for reduced expression leading to disease severity. The decreased NQO1 mRNA expression with heterozygous CT and mutant TT genotype associated with vitamin D deficiency may contribute to disease progression.

Searching for a Novel HLA-Cw6-Linked Cardiometabolic Endotype in Psoriatic Disease

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

In recent years, a possible connection between HLA-Cw6 and a distinctive cardiometabolic (CM) profile in patients with psoriatic disease (PsD) has been proposed, although there is still little support for this. Our aim was to further investigate this possible association by studying a large population of PsD patients.

METHODS

For this study, three different cohorts of patients with PsD were analyzed: two with a majority of cutaneous psoriasis, pooled n: 600, and a third with only psoriatic arthritis-PsA-cases, n: 340. Potential relationships between HLA-Cw6 and the different CM risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemia) were analyzed using univariate and multivariate regression models, while the final net effect was assessed using fixed- or random-effects meta-analyses, as appropriate.

RESULTS

In the PsA cohort, no association was detected between HLA-Cw6 carriership and any of the CM comorbidity factors. In psoriasis cohorts, after correcting for age, sex, disease duration, and arthritis, HLA-Cw6 carriers had a reduced diabetes risk (OR 0.49, 95%CI: 0.26-0.91, p = 0.026). This latter effect was confirmed by a fixed-effects meta-analysis of the included cohorts (pooled OR: 0.50, 95%CI: 0.27-0.90).

CONCLUSIONS

This work demonstrates a potential protective effect of the HLA-Cw6 allele on the risk of diabetes in PsD. Our findings together with those of others seem to confirm the existence of a novel HLA-Cw6-linked cardiometabolic endotype in this disease.

The effect of family structure on the still-missing heritability and genomic prediction accuracy of type 2 diabetes

This study aims to assess the effect of familial structures on the still-missing heritability estimate and prediction accuracy of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) using pedigree estimated risk values (ERV) and genomic ERV. We used 11,818 individuals (T2D cases: 2,210) with genotype (649,932 SNPs) and pedigree information from the ongoing periodic cohort study of the Iranian population project. We considered three different familial structure scenarios, including (i) all families, (ii) all families with ≥ 1 generation, and (iii) families with ≥ 1 generation in which both case and control individuals are presented. Comprehensive simulation strategies were implemented to quantify the difference between estimates of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. A proportion of still-missing heritability in T2D could be explained by overestimation of pedigree-based heritability due to the presence of families with individuals having only one of the two disease statuses. Our research findings underscore the significance of including families with only case/control individuals in cohort studies. The presence of such family structures (as observed in scenarios i and ii) contributes to a more accurate estimation of disease heritability, addressing the underestimation that was previously overlooked in prior research. However, when predicting disease risk, the absence of these families (as seen in scenario iii) can yield the highest prediction accuracy and the strongest correlation with Polygenic Risk Scores. Our findings represent the first evidence of the important contribution of familial structure for heritability estimations and genomic prediction studies in T2D.

Machine Learning-Based Hyperglycemia Prediction: Enhancing Risk Assessment in a Cohort of Undiagnosed Individuals

Background

Noncommunicable diseases continue to pose a substantial health challenge globally, with hyperglycemia serving as a prominent indicator of diabetes.

Objective

This study employed machine learning algorithms to predict hyperglycemia in a cohort of individuals who were asymptomatic and unraveled crucial predictors contributing to early risk identification.

Methods

This dataset included an extensive array of clinical and demographic data obtained from 195 adults who were asymptomatic and residing in a suburban community in Nigeria. The study conducted a thorough comparison of multiple machine learning algorithms to ascertain the most effective model for predicting hyperglycemia. Moreover, we explored feature importance to pinpoint correlates of high blood glucose levels within the cohort.

Results

Elevated blood pressure and prehypertension were recorded in 8 (4.1%) and 18 (9.2%) of the 195 participants, respectively. A total of 41 (21%) participants presented with hypertension, of which 34 (83%) were female. However, sex adjustment showed that 34 of 118 (28.8%) female participants and 7 of 77 (9%) male participants had hypertension. Age-based analysis revealed an inverse relationship between normotension and age (r=-0.88; P=.02). Conversely, hypertension increased with age (r=0.53; P=.27), peaking between 50-59 years. Of the 195 participants, isolated systolic hypertension and isolated diastolic hypertension were recorded in 16 (8.2%) and 15 (7.7%) participants, respectively, with female participants recording a higher prevalence of isolated systolic hypertension (11/16, 69%) and male participants reporting a higher prevalence of isolated diastolic hypertension (11/15, 73%). Following class rebalancing, the random forest classifier gave the best performance (accuracy score 0.89; receiver operating characteristic-area under the curve score 0.89; F1-score 0.89) of the 26 model classifiers. The feature selection model identified uric acid and age as important variables associated with hyperglycemia.

Conclusions

The random forest classifier identified significant clinical correlates associated with hyperglycemia, offering valuable insights for the early detection of diabetes and informing the design and deployment of therapeutic interventions. However, to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of each feature's contribution to blood glucose levels, modeling additional relevant clinical features in larger datasets could be beneficial.

Current approaches in CRISPR-Cas systems for diabetes

In the face of advancements in health care and a shift towards healthy lifestyle, diabetes mellitus (DM) still presents as a global health challenge. This chapter explores recent advancements in the areas of genetic and molecular underpinnings of DM, addressing the revolutionary potential of CRISPR-based genome editing technologies. We delve into the multifaceted relationship between genes and molecular pathways contributing to both type1 and type 2 diabetes. We highlight the importance of how improved genetic screening and the identification of susceptibility genes are aiding in early diagnosis and risk stratification. The spotlight then shifts to CRISPR-Cas9, a robust genome editing tool capable of various applications including correcting mutations in type 1 diabetes, enhancing insulin production in T2D, modulating genes associated with metabolism of glucose and insulin sensitivity. Delivery methods for CRISPR to targeted tissues and cells are explored, including viral and non-viral vectors, alongside the exciting possibilities offered by nanocarriers. We conclude by discussing the challenges and ethical considerations surrounding CRISPR-based therapies for DM. These include potential off-target effects, ensuring long-term efficacy and safety, and navigating the ethical implications of human genome modification. This chapter offers a comprehensive perspective on how genetic and molecular insights, coupled with the transformative power of CRISPR, are paving the way for potential cures and novel therapeutic approaches for DM.

Sustained metabolic dysregulation and the emergence of diabetes: associations between HbA1c and metabolic syndrome components in Tunisian diabetic and nondiabetic groups

INTRODUCTION

Metabolic Syndrome (MetS), diabetes, and other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) have been a major focus of research in recent decades as the prevalence of these conditions continues to rapidly increase globally. However, the timing and patterns of development from metabolic risk factors to disease states are less well understood and are especially critical to understand in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and populations undergoing epidemiological transitions.

METHODS

Nationally representative sociodemographic, anthropometric, and point-of-care biomarker data from the 2016 Tunisian Health Examination Survey (n = 8170) were used to determine the prevalence of diabetes and MetS components in Tunisia and to investigate associations between glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and MetS components (blood pressure [BP], HDL cholesterol [HDL], triglycerides [TG], and waist circumference [WC]) in participants aged 15-97 years old. To better understand how sustained metabolic dysregulation and disease states impact these associations, diabetic and nondiabetic groups were analyzed separately.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of diabetes based on measured HbA1c was 18.2%. The diabetic groups had a higher prevalence of each individual MetS component, and significantly higher (BP, TG, WC, and HbA1c) and lower (HDL) values than the nondiabetic groups. Yet, there were a higher number of significant associations between HbA1c and MetS components found in nondiabetic women and men when compared to diabetic women and men. HbA1c was positively associated with the cumulative number of MetS components, irrespective of diabetes status in men and women.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of both diabetes and MetS components (particularly low HDL cholesterol and elevated TG) is high among the Tunisian population. More MetS components were associated with HbA1c in nondiabetic individuals, showing a strong connection between the development of MetS components and diabetes. However, once the diabetes disease state manifests, there is more variability in the relationships. These results show the potential for HbA1c to be an indicator of metabolic health below clinical disease cutoffs, which may allow insights into the physiological changes that precipitate the emergence of diabetes.

Reassessing type 2 diabetes in adolescents and its management strategies based on insulin resistance

With changes in lifestyle behaviors, including dietary structure and habits, the prevalence of Youth-onset Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (YODM) has increased 2 to 3 times compared to 30 years ago. YODM patients experience complications earlier, progress faster, and exhibit more severe symptoms. However, limited and inconclusive direct evidence, coupled with poor patient compliance, poses challenges in the clinical management of YODM. Apart from the continuous decline in pancreatic β-cell function and quantity, tissue-specific insulin resistance (IR) is also a typical characteristic of YODM. The main mechanisms of IR in YODM involve different aspects such as obesity, dietary imbalance, abnormal substance metabolism, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and hormonal fluctuations during adolescence. For the comprehensive management of YODM, besides achieving good control of blood glucose levels, it may be necessary to apply the most appropriate methods considering the uniqueness of the patient population and the specifics of the disease. Early identification and detection of the disease are crucial. Precise screening of patients with well-functioning pancreatic insulin β-cells, primarily characterized by IR and obesity, represents the population most likely to achieve diabetes remission or reversal through lifestyle modifications, medications, or even surgical interventions. Additionally, considering potential emotional disorders or the impact of adolescent hormones in these patients, health education for patients and caregivers is essential to make them aware of the long-term benefits of well-controlled blood glucose. In conclusion, adopting comprehensive management measures to achieve diabetes remission or reversal is the ideal goal. Controlling high blood glucose, obesity, and other risk factors related to diabetes complications is the next priority to delay the occurrence and progression of complications. A comprehensive perspective on IR provides insights and references for identifying YODM and its management strategies.

Using data on biomarkers and siblings to study early-life economic determinants of type-2 diabetes

We study the effect of economic conditions early in life on the occurrence of type-2 diabetes in adulthood using contextual economic indicators and within-sibling pair variation. We use data from Lifelines: a longitudinal cohort study and biobank including 51,270 siblings born in the Netherlands from 1950 onward. Sibling fixed-effects account for selective fertility. To identify type-2 diabetes we use biomarkers on the hemoglobin A1c concentration and fasting glucose in the blood. We find that adverse economic conditions around birth increase the probability of type-2 diabetes later in life both in males and in females. Inference based on self-reported diabetes leads to biased results, incorrectly suggesting the absence of an effect. The same applies to inference that does not account for selective fertility.

Analyzing Gene Expression After Administration of Low-Intensity Therapeutic Ultrasound in Human Islet Cells

OBJECTIVES

Diabetes mellitus is a complex heterogenous metabolic disease that significantly affects the world population. Although many treatments exist, including medications such as metformin, sulfonylureas, and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP) receptor agonist, there is growing interest in finding alternative methods to noninvasively treat this disease. It has been previously shown that low-intensity ultrasound stimulation of pancreatic β-cells in mice can elicit insulin secretion as a potential treatment for this disease. This is desirable as therapeutic ultrasound has the ability to induce bioeffects while selectively focusing deep within tissues, allowing for modulation of hormone secretion in the pancreas to mitigate insufficient levels of insulin.

METHODS

Exactly 800 kHz ultrasound with intensity 0.5 W/cm2 was administered 5 minutes continuously, that is, 100% duty cycle, to donor pancreatic human islets, followed by 1 hour incubation and RT-qPCR to assess the effect of ultrasound stimulation on gene expression. The genes were insulin (INS), glucagon (Glu), amylin (Amy), and binding immunoglobulin protein (BiP). Nine donor pancreatic human islets were used to assess insulin and glucagon secretion, while eight samples were used for amylin and BiP. Fold change (FC) was calculated to analyze the effect of ultrasound stimulation on the gene expression of the donor islet cells. High-glucose and thapsigargin-treated islets were utilized as positive controls. Cell viability testing was done using a Trypan Blue Exclusion Test.

RESULTS

Ultrasound stimulation did not cause a statistically significant upregulation in any of the tested genes (INS FC = 1.15, P-value = .5692; Glu FC = 1.60, P-value = .2231; Amy FC, P-value = .2863; BiP FC = 2.68, P-value = .3907).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study show that the proposed ultrasound treatment parameters do not appear to significantly affect gene expression of any gene tested.

A, Sarma DK, Verma V, Nagpal R, Mohania D, Tiwari R, Kumar M. Deciphering the complex interplay of risk factors in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A comprehensive review

The complex and multidimensional landscape of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is a major global concern. Despite several years of extensive research, the precise underlying causes of T2D remain elusive, but evidence suggests that it is influenced by a myriad of interconnected risk factors such as epigenetics, genetics, gut microbiome, environmental factors, organelle stress, and dietary habits. The number of factors influencing the pathogenesis is increasing day by day which worsens the scenario; meanwhile, the interconnections shoot up the frame. By gaining deeper insights into the contributing factors, we may pave the way for the development of personalized medicine, which could unlock more precise and impactful treatment pathways for individuals with T2D. This review summarizes the state of knowledge about T2D pathogenesis, focusing on the interplay between various risk factors and their implications for future therapeutic strategies. Understanding these factors could lead to tailored treatments targeting specific risk factors and inform prevention efforts on a population level, ultimately improving outcomes for individuals with T2D and reducing its burden globally.

Association of common single-nucleotide polymorphism of HHEX with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a complex metabolic disease that occurs as a result of insulin resistance and low insulin production. T2DM involves many organ systems that include macro-vascular and micro-vascular complications. Several genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and candidate gene studies have suggested a large number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on several genes such as HHEX that were associated with T2DM susceptibility. The current study aims to look at the relationship between the risk of T2DM and the HHEX gene variant rs7923837.

Methods

In this case-control study genotyping of rs7923837 of the HHEX gene was performed using the PCR-RFLP and Sanger sequencing method.

Results

Frequencies of GG genotype of rs7923837 polymorphism of HHEX among subjects with and without diabetes mellitus were 33.77% and 25.47% respectively. Corresponding prevalence for the AG genotype was 51.08% and 64.15% among subjects with and without diabetes mellitus respectively. The differences were not statistically significant (p = 0.08).

Conclusion

Our study revealed that polymorphisms rs7923837 of HHEX were not associated with T2DM.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40200-024-01407-5.

Antidiabetic Potential of Tea and Its Active Compounds: From Molecular Mechanism to Clinical Evidence

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic endocrine disorder that poses a long-term risk to human health accompanied by serious complications. Common antidiabetic drugs are usually accompanied by side effects such as hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. There is an urgent need for natural dietary alternatives for diabetic treatment. Tea (Camellia sinensis) consumption has been widely investigated to lower the risk of diabetes and its complications through restoring glucose metabolism homeostasis, safeguarding pancreatic β-cells, ameliorating insulin resistance, ameliorating oxidative stresses, inhibiting inflammatory response, and regulating intestinal microbiota. It is indispensable to develop effective strategies to improve the absorption of tea active compounds and exert combinational effects with other natural compounds to broaden its hypoglycemic potential. The advances in clinical trials and population-based investigations are also discussed. This review primarily delves into the antidiabetic potential and underlying mechanisms of tea active compounds, providing a theoretical basis for the practical application of tea and its active compounds against diabetes.

Human protein-protein interaction networks: A topological comparison review

Protein-Protein Interaction Networks aim to model the interactome, providing a powerful tool for understanding the complex relationships governing cellular processes. These networks have numerous applications, including functional enrichment, discovering cancer driver genes, identifying drug targets, and more. Various databases make protein-protein networks available for many species, including Homo sapiens. This work topologically compares four Homo sapiens networks using a coarse-to-fine approach, comparing global characteristics, sub-network topology, specific nodes centrality, and interaction significance. Results show that the four human protein networks share many common protein-encoding genes and some global measures, but significantly differ in the interactions and neighbourhood. Small sub-networks from cancer pathways performed better than the whole networks, indicating an improved topological consistency in functional pathways. The centrality analysis shows that the same genes play different roles in different networks. We discuss how studies and analyses that rely on protein-protein networks for humans should consider their similarities and distinctions.

A systematic review of variations in circadian rhythm genes and type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease that has severe individual and societal consequences, which is forecast to worsen in the future. A new field of investigation is variations in circadian rhythm genes, in conjunction with diet and sleep variables, associations with, and effects on, type 2 diabetes development.

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review aimed to analyse all current literature regarding circadian rhythm gene variations and type 2 diabetes, and explore their interplay with diet and sleep variables on type 2 diabetes outcomes. This review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021259682).

METHODOLOGY

Embase and Pubmed were searched on 6/8/2021/11/8/2021 for studies of all designs, including participants from both sexes, all ethnicities, ages, and geographic locations. Participants with risk alleles/genotypes were compared with the wildtype regarding type 2 diabetes outcomes. Studies risk of bias were scored according to the risk of bias in non-randomised studies - interventions/exposures criteria.

RESULTS

In total, 31 studies were found (association n  =  29/intervention n  =  2) including >600,000 participants from various ethnicities, sexes, and ages. Variations in the melatonin receptor 1B, brain and muscle arnt-like 1 and period circadian regulator (PER) genes were consistently associated with type 2 diabetes outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Individuals with variations in melatonin receptor 1B, brain and muscle arnt-like 1 and PER may be at higher risk of type 2 diabetes. Further research is needed regarding other circadian rhythm genes. More longitudinal studies and randomised trials are required before clinical recommendations can be made.

Insulin and circadian rhythm genes of the Nile rat (Arvicanthis niloticus) are conserved and orthologous to those in the rat, mouse and human

The African grass or Nile rat (NR) (Arvicanthis niloticus) is a herbivorous diurnal rodent which is used as a biological model for research on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and the circadian rhythm. Similar to humans, male NRs develop T2DM with high-carbohydrate diets. The NR thus provides a unique opportunity to identify the nutritional and underlying genetic factors that characterise human T2DM, as well as the effects of potential anti-diabetic phytochemicals such as Water-Soluble Palm Fruit Extract. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) could help identify possible genetic causes why NRs spontaneously develop T2DM in captivity. In this study, we performed WGS on a hepatic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sample isolated from a male NR using PacBio high-fidelity long-read sequencing. The WGS data obtained were then de novo assembled and annotated using PacBio HiFi isoform sequencing (Iso-Seq) data as well as previous Illumina RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) data. Genes related to insulin and circadian rhythm pathways were present in the NR genome, similar to orthologues in the rat, mouse and human genomes. T2DM development in the NR is thus most likely not attributable to structural differences in these genes when compared to other biological models. Further studies are warranted to gain additional insights on the genetic-environmental factors which underlie the genetic permissiveness of NRs to develop T2DM.

Clinical, glycometric features and treatment in a family with monogenic diabetes due to a new mutation in the insulin gene

Monogenic diabetes caused by changes in the gene that encodes insulin (INS) is a very rare form of monogenic diabetes (<1%). The aim of this work is to describe the clinical and glycaemic control characteristics over time from four members of a family diagnosed with monogenic diabetes with the novel mutation: c.206del,p.(Gly69Aalfs*62) located in exon 3 of the gene INS. 75% are females, with debut in adolescence and negative autoimmunity. In all cases, C-peptide is detectable decades after diagnosis (>0.6ng/ml). Currently, patients are being treated either with insulin in a bolus-basal regimen, oral antidiabetics or hybrid closed loop system. Monogenic diabetes due to mutation in the INS is an entity with heterogeneous presentation, whose diagnosis requires high suspicion and presents an important clinical impact. Given the lack of standards in this regard, therapy must be individualized, although insulin therapy could help preserve beta cell functionality in these subjects.