Genetic connection discovered between T2 diabetes and intestinal disorders

Researchers at the Center for Precision Health at Edith Cowan University (ECU) have discovered a significant genetic connection between diabetes type 2 and some intestinal disorders, which could pave the way for more effective therapies.

The work was published in the journal Communications Biology.

Type 2 diabetes and intestinal disorders

Research has found that intestinal disorders such as stomach ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome and acid reflux could share similar biological origins with type 2 diabetes, meaning that some of the same genes played a role in these conditions.

“Previous studies have suggested a connection between these conditions, and although the mechanisms remain unclear, reports associating intestinal conditions with diabetic complications highlight the substantial impact of their coexistence on health outcomes,” said lead researcher Dr. Emmanuel Adewuyi.

“Our study uses a genetic approach to unravel the intricate relationships of these seemingly unrelated conditions. By discovering their genetic basis, we have laid the foundation for targeted treatment and personalized care. I am optimistic about its potential to improve the lives of millions of people, around the world.”

Diabetes has reached pandemic proportions with more than 536 million people worldwide expected to live with the disease by 2021, and with the disease resulting in more than 6.7 million deaths. Type 2 diabetes accounts for between 90% and 95% of all diabetes cases.

The co-occurrence of type 2 diabetes and intestinal disorders can accelerate disease progression and increase healthcare costs, leading to complex management plans and poorer quality of life for patients.

This co-occurrence could also contribute to the actual development of these disorders through shared genetic mechanisms and biological processes or causal relationships.

Surprisingly, however, unlike other gut conditions, the study found no genetic connection between type 2 diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), demonstrating the complexity of these conditions.

Dr. Adewuyi noted that understanding the relationship between T2D and gut disorders could advance knowledge of their underlying biological mechanisms, identify targets for further investigation, and provide opportunities for the development of treatments, evidence-based clinical decisions, or prevention strategies of precision.

“This research marks another significant milestone in our Centre’s statistical genetics research program which seeks to unravel the intricate relationships between many of today’s major health conditions,” noted Professor Simon Laws, director of the Center for Precision Health and supervisor of study.

“By delving deeper into the genetic architecture of type 2 diabetes and various intestinal disorders, we have discovered new insights that could pave the way for more effective therapeutic strategies. Deciphering the underlying mechanisms linking these conditions has the potential to lead to improvements in patient care and outcomes.”

The researchers say further research will be essential to translate these findings into tangible benefits for patients around the world.

Type 2 diabetes is associated with an increased risk of Parkinson’s

Research from Queen Mary University of London has concluded that there is convincing evidence that type 2 diabetes is associated with an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease. The same study found that there is also evidence that T2D may contribute to faster disease progression in patients who already suffer from Parkinson’s.

Treating people with drugs already available for type 2 diabetes can reduce the risk and slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease. Early screening and treatment of type 2 diabetes in patients with Parkinson’s may be advisable.

Previous systematic reviews and meta-analyses have produced conflicting results on the link between diabetes and Parkinson’s disease risk. This new study, published in the Movement Disorders Journal, used a meta-analysis of observational data and a meta-analysis of genetic data to evaluate the effect of T2D on the risk and progression of Parkinson’s disease.

Corresponding author Dr Alastair Noyce of Queen Mary University of London said: “This research brings together the results of many other studies to provide compelling evidence that type 2 diabetes likely influences not only the risk of Parkinson’s, but also the progression of Parkinson’s. There are many treatment strategies for T2D, including prevention strategies, which could be repurposed for the treatment of Parkinson’s.”

Common diabetes medications can prevent Parkinson’s

The elevated risk of Parkinson’s disease among people with type 2 diabetes appears to be reduced by some drugs used to treat diabetes, according to a new study led by UCL researchers.

Researchers are testing one of the drugs, called exenatide, as a potential treatment for Parkinson’s in an upcoming clinical trial, and the new results, published in Brain, support the possibility of repurposing the diabetes drugs for people with Parkinson’s.

The research team, funded by the Cure Parkinson’s Trust, looked at patient data on 100,288 people with T2D, from The Health Improvement Network database.

The findings confirmed that people with type 2 diabetes face an elevated risk of Parkinson’s, compared to another cohort of people without diabetes, but commonly prescribed drugs, GLP-1 agonists and DPP4 inhibitors, appeared to reverse this relationship.

The researchers found that people taking two particular classes of diabetes treatments – GLP-1 agonists (such as exenatide) and DPP4 inhibitors – were less likely to be diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease a few years later (average time to 3.3 year follow-up). , compared to people taking other diabetes medications. Those taking GLP-1 agonists were 60% less likely to develop Parkinson’s disease than people taking other T2D medications.

This study provides further verification for a phase 3 clinical trial of exenatide for people with Parkinson’s, led by Professor Tom Foltynie (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology), co-lead author of this study. The upcoming study is currently recruiting 200 people with Parkinson’s across the UK.

An earlier study found that people with Parkinson’s who injected exenatide every week for a year performed better on motor tests than those who were injected with a placebo.

Professor Foltynie said: “Our study has strengthened the evidence for a link between type 2 diabetes and Parkinson’s disease, although it remains clear that most people with diabetes will not develop Parkinson’s.

“We have added evidence that exenatide may help prevent or treat Parkinson’s disease, hopefully by influencing the course of the disease and not simply reducing symptoms, but we need to progress with our clinical trial before making any recommendations.”

Co-lead author Professor Li Wei (UCL School of Pharmacy) said: “It may be useful for doctors to consider other risk factors for Parkinson’s disease when prescribing drugs for type 2 diabetes, but they will further research to confirm the clinical implications.”