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Why psoriasis increases the risk of diabetes

22 February 20246 January 2024 by Renato Torlaschi

Previous research had already shown that having psoriasis increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. A new study from King’s College London has sought to understand why this occurs; lead author Elizabeth Evans presented the findings at the recent Society for Endocrinology annual conference held in Glasgow.

British researchers studied human and animal skin samples, looking for any molecular alterations associated with psoriasis that might induce diabetes. In doing so, they identified, in the skin of mice with psoriasis, an inflammatory state and insulin resistance, a known risk factor for diabetes. This resistance means that cells do not respond properly to the hormone insulin and do not remove glucose from the bloodstream. Specifically, fat tissue was seen to absorb glucose less readily, and the researchers measured a reduction in levels of glucose transporter type 4, a receptor needed to move glucose into fat cells. In addition, beta cells in mice with psoriasis produced more insulin than those in unaffected mice: the trial authors believe this overproduction is an attempt to compensate for insulin resistance.

In short, the inflammation associated with psoriasis caused insulin resistance and increased insulin production.

But this is just the beginning of the research: now the team wants to identify which factors released by psoriatic skin may play a role in the development of diabetes. The survey results are expected to improve our understanding of this common skin disease and may also help us better understand diabetes.

Elizabeth Evans said, “If we can discover skin-derived factors that directly influence blood glucose control, we can pave the way for the identification of potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of diabetes or insulin resistance.”

Evans E. et al. Skin-endocrine regulation of whole-body metabolism. Endocrine Abstracts (2018) 59 P102.

https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Psoriasis_of_the_palms.jpg

Insulin reaction

19 February 20246 January 2024 by Redazione My Special Doctor

An insulin reaction occurs when a person with diabetes injects too much insulin, or eats too little after taking insulin. Such a reaction can cause the following symptoms: staggering, poor mood, pallor, confusion, sudden hunger, excessive sweating, trembling, and possible loss of consciousness.

What to do?

If the victim is conscious:

Administering sugar.
If the patient does not feel well within 20 minutes call the ambulance.

If the victim is unconscious:

Check vital parameters.
Call the ambulance.
Treating a possible seizure.
Place sugar under the victim’s tongue to dissolve it.

Source: Mediserve‘s Pocket Guide to First Aid.

Exercise, best to do it before breakfast

12 February 20246 January 2024 by Redazione My Special Doctor

The time of day when you exercise may be as important as the exercise itself, according to new research published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

It may sound bizarre, but the explanation is simple: after fasting for several hours overnight, insulin levels are lower, which allows the body to consume more fat during exercise.

The study, conducted by an international team coordinated by Javier Gonzalez of the University of Bath, England, looked at 30 men who were obese or otherwise overweight and divided them into three groups. Participants included in the first two followed an identical physical activity program, but did it at different times of the day: either just after getting up or after breakfast; finally, a third group introduced no alterations in their lifestyle.

The results were surprising: those who worked out on an empty stomach burned twice as much fat as those who postponed their workout after breakfast.

“Importantly, Gonzales specified, although the different timing of the workout had no effect on weight loss, there was a noticeable improvement in the overall health of those who exercised before breakfast”: their muscles responded better to insulin, better controlling blood sugar levels. “This effect,” Gonzales said, “seemed even more extraordinary to us precisely because of the fact that both groups who exercised lost a similar amount of weight.

It should be noted that the trial was done on all-male participants; therefore, it will need to be replicated with a similar study to be conducted with women as well, to verify that the result can be generalized. In addition, in this study the breakfast provided-the same for everyone-was carbohydrate-based, and the authors intend to control whether this changes in the case of a low carb meal.

Source:

Edinburgh RM, Bradley HE et al. Lipid metabolism links nutrient-exercise timing to insulin sensitivity in men classified as overweight or obese. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2019 Oct 19.