Diabetes is linked to various health problems including a decline in muscle mass.
In a recent study published in JCI Insight, researchers found that elevation of blood sugar levels leads to muscle atrophy and that two proteins, WWP1 and KLF15, play key roles in this phenomenon.
The study is at Kobe University. One author is Professor Wataru Ogawa.
Muscle mass decline linked to aging impairs our physical activity, making us susceptible to a variety of health problems and thus leading to shortened lifespans.
Age-dependent muscle mass decline and the consequent impairment of physical activity is known as “sarcopenia,” a serious health burden in aging societies.
Previous studies found that patients with diabetes are prone to muscle loss as they age, but an underlining mechanism for this phenomenon remains unclear.
Diabetes is a disease caused by insufficient action of the hormone insulin.
Insulin not only lowers blood sugar levels but promotes the growth and proliferation of cells; insufficient action of insulin has been thought to result in the suppression of growth and proliferation of muscle cells, which in turn contribute to the decline in skeletal muscle mass.
In the study, the team made the surprising discovery that a rise in blood sugar levels triggers the decline in muscle mass, and they uncovered the important roles of two proteins in this phenomenon.
They showed for the first time that elevation of blood sugar levels triggers muscle mass decline and that the two proteins WWP1 and KLF15 contribute to diabetes-induced muscle mass decline.
The team says if doctors can develop a drug that strengthens the function of WWP1 or weakens the function of KLF15, it would lead to a groundbreaking new treatment.
If you care about diabetes and your health, please read studies about this surgery can be a cure for type 2 diabetes and findings of a new drug combo for type 2 diabetes remains effective after 2 years.
For more information about diabetes control and prevention, please see recent studies about your age may determine whether diabetes drug metformin is useful to you and results showing that common diabetes drug may slow down cognitive decline.
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