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Diabetes mellitus type II is a long term metabolic disorder that results in high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and/or lower insulin levels.
According to the American Diabetes Association, 9.3% of the US population has this disorder.
Formerly known as adult-onset diabetes, it occurs most often in middle-aged and older people.
Over time, high blood glucose can cause serious complications with the heart, eyes, kidneys, nerves, gums, and teeth.
The special cells in the pancreas, called the beta cells produce a hormone called insulin.
Insulin moves blood sugar or glucose into the cells.
In type 2 diabetes, the fat, liver, and muscle cells respond incorrectly to insulin.
This is called insulin resistance.
The glucose is incapable of entering the cells, and a high level of sugar builds up in the blood.
This is known as hyperglycemia.
Insulin resistance is the most common cause of type 2 diabetes.
But sometimes, type 2 diabetes can be caused by decreased production of insulin by the beta cells.
Type 2 diabetes can cause serious complications, so it is essential to identify the symptoms as early as possible.
Most of the symptoms are a result of increased blood sugar levels. These include:
Other symptoms of type 2 diabetes include:
Chances of developing type 2 diabetes depend on a combination of risk factors, including genes and lifestyle.
While the genetic risk factors cannot be changed, making the required changes in our lifestyle is very much within our hands.
You are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if you
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Research has identified at least 150 genetic variations associated with the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Each person possesses variations that can either increase or decrease the risk.
The combination of these variations determines a person's likelihood of developing the disease.
The genetic variations may directly or indirectly affect the following:
However, for many of the variations associated with type 2 diabetes, the mechanism by which they contribute to the disease is unknown
IGF2BP2 gene encodes a protein that binds the 5’ UTR of insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA and regulates its translation.
It plays an important role in metabolism, and variation in this gene is associated with susceptibility to diabetes.
Studies have shown an increased risk of T2D for those with the rs4402960 polymorphism.
In the case-control study, the carriers of TT genotype at rs4402960 had a higher T2DM risk than the G carriers (TG + GG)
| Genotype | Risk |
|---|---|
| G/G | Normal |
| G/T | 1.2x increased risk for T2D, 1x risk for gestational diabetes |
| T/T | 1.2x increased risk for T2D, 1x risk for gestational diabetes |
In conclusion, the analysis suggested that rs4402960 polymorphism in IGF2BP2 is associated with elevated T2D risk, but these associations vary in different ethnic populations.
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) plays a critical role in regulating insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis and can be associated with improved insulin sensitivity.
Research has shown that PPAR-γ directly activates GLUT2 and β-glucokinase (important to glucose homeostasis).
Additionally, PPAR-gamma has been implicated in the pathology of numerous diseases, including obesity, diabetes, atherosclerosis, and cancer.
Inactivating mutations of the gene encoding PPAR gamma are associated with insulin resistance type 2 diabetes.
rs17036314 is an SNP in the PPARG gene found to increase the chance of type 2 diabetes.
| Genotype | Risk |
|---|---|
| C/C | Risk of progressing From Impaired Glucose Tolerance to T2D |
| C/G | Risk of progressing From Impaired Glucose Tolerance to T2D |
| G/G | Risk |
SLC30A8, a zinc transporter gene, is associated with type 2 diabetes.
It is involved in the accumulation of zinc in intracellular vesicles.
This gene is expressed at a high level only in the pancreas, particularly in the islets of Langerhans.
The common polymorphism rs13266634 was associated with lowered beta-cell function and a 14% increase in diabetes abundance per risk (C) allele.
This variant encodes a tryptophan-to-arginine switch at position 325 in the protein.
This results in reduced zinc transport activity and, consequently, decreased intragranular zinc levels.
The SLC30A8 polymorphism is found associated with reduced insulin secretion, but not with insulin resistance.
| Genotype | Risk |
|---|---|
| T/T | Normal Risk |
| C/T | Slightly higher risk of T2D |
| C/C | 1.5x-3x higher risk of T2D |
HHEX gene encodes a member of the homeobox family of transcription factors. Its polymorphisms show association with type 2 diabetes.
The major role of HHEX protein is interacting with signaling molecules.
It plays a role in embryonic development of the pancreas, liver, and thyroid.
A study linked that polymorphism rs7923837 is associated with impaired insulin response.
The risk allele of rs1111875 and rs7923837 in the HHEX gene are associated with reduced beta-cell secretion capacity.
| Genotype | Risk |
|---|---|
| G/G | Increased risk for type 2 diabetes |
| A/G | Increased risk for type 2 diabetes |
| A/A | Normal risk for type 2 diabetes |
| Genotype | Risk |
|---|---|
| G/G | 3.2x increased risk for type 2 diabetes |
| A/G | 1.9x increased risk for type 2 diabetes |
| A/A | Normal risk of type 2 diabetes |
The TCF7L2 gene plays a role in controlling blood sugar levels.
It is involved in adipogenesis (formation of fat cells) and is associated with glucose intolerance and impaired insulin secretion.
The SNP within the TCF7L2 gene, rs7903146, plays a role in this association.
The risk allele results in the overexpression of the gene in the pancreatic beta cells, thus reducing insulin secretion.
The reduced insulin secretion explains the increased hepatic glucose production.
In conclusion, the increased risk of T2D conferred by variants in TCF7L2 involves the enhanced expression of the gene in islets and impaired insulin secretion.
| Genotype | Risk |
|---|---|
| T/T | 2x increased risk of type 2 diabetes |
| C/T | 1.4x increased risk for type 2 diabetes |
| C/C | Normal risk of type 2 diabetes |
KCNJ11, in tandem with several other genes, mediates the regulation of insulin released.
Reduced expression of KCNJ11 may increase the risk of type II diabetes.
The rs5219 A allele plays a crucial role in insulin secretion by decreasing the ATP sensitivity of the Potassium ATP channel and suppressing insulin secretion. However, the mechanism involved is still unclear.
| Genotype | Risk |
|---|---|
| T/T | 2.5x increased risk of type 2 diabetes |
| C/T | 1.3x increased risk for type 2 diabetes |
| C/C | Normal risk of type 2 diabetes |
You may also be interested in Diabetes: A Genetic Overview
Type II Diabetes is a complex condition with several contributing factors, genetics included.
Certain genetic predispositions increase the individual's risk of developing the disorder; however, it is not a guarantee that the person will go on to develop that condition.
This is because other factors play a role in its onset.
Knowing your genetic makeup empowers you with information to reduce the risk of developing type II diabetes by altering the factors that are in your control.
Research such as the Diabetes Prevention Program shows that you can do a lot to reduce your chances of developing type 2 diabetes. Here are some things you can change to lower your risk:
You may be able to prevent or delay diabetes by losing 5 to 10 percent of your current weight.
For example, if you weigh 250 pounds, your goal would be to lose between 12.5 to 25 pounds.
Insulin resistance reduces with regular exercises and better utilization of glucose by the cells.
Choose foods that have lesser fat content.
If losing weight is the goal, a high-fiber, low-fat diet may help you.
Drink water in plenty and stay away from those soft drinks!
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Altering one's diet is one of the best ways to prevent type 2 diabetes, and this can be done by including and excluding a few items in the diet.
A diet of beans, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and fresh fruit can prevent type II diabetes.
High nutrient, low glycemic load foods are the best food for diabetics and those looking to prevent it.
An analysis found that leafy vegetable intake was related to a 14% decrease in the risk of type 2 diabetes.
They have close to no effect on blood glucose and are rich in fiber and phytochemicals.
Beans have low glycemic load due to their increased fiber and resistant starch (carbohydrates that are not broken down in the small intestine).
Eating three servings of fresh fruit each day results in an 18% decrease in the risk of diabetes.
Foods that increase blood sugar levels or reduce sensitivity to insulin increase the risk for type 2 diabetes. These include:
Fibers slow down the absorption of glucose into the blood.
However, these foods are devoid of sugar and can cause a sharp increase in blood glucose levels.
They increase the chances of getting type 2 diabetes in the long run.
This leads to increased glucose levels and a greater risk of diabetes.
A meta-analysis conducted concluded that:
Xcode Life Gene Health Report analyzes the genetic variants for type 2 diabetes, anxiety, heart disease, and more than 45 categories of health-related traits.
