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Blocking CMPF metabolite may prevent cell failure causing diabetes
By impeding the effects of a fat metabolite that impairs pancreatic cells from secreting insulin in both pregnant women with diabetes and people with type 2 diabetes, researchers said they may have found a key in the prevention and treatment of the disease.
With nearly one in five of pregnancies resulting in gestational diabetes, and that development increasing the risk for type 2 diabetes later in life, researchers at the University of Toronto set out to study the chemical processes involving metabolites for insight on what these two types of diabetes have in common.
Using a selected reaction monitoring mass spectrometry approach, a team led by Michael Wheeler, PhD, of the University of Toronto, examined 342 metabolites in fasting plasma samples from two independent cohorts of pregnant women. Samples were collected at 24 to 28 weeks gestation.
The blood molecules of participants with gestational diabetes and type 2 diabetes contained a remarkable number of changed metabolites — including sugars, amino acids and fats — relative to controls without diabetes, according to the researchers. The furan fatty acid metabolite 3-carboxy-4-methly-5-propyl-2-furanpropanoic (CMFP) showed the most dramatic change.
Detailed mechanistic experiments showed CMPF enters a beta cell through organic anion transporter 3 (OAT3) and causes negative effects, including oxidative stress. Further investigation revealed blocking the transport of CMPF into insulin-producing beta cells prevented the effects, as did treatment with antioxidants.
“Based on our findings, we believe that CMPF and its transporter OAT3 represent novel targets for prevention and treatment of diabetes,” Kacey J. Prentice, trainee at the University of Toronto department of physiology, said in a press release. “If we can reduce levels of CMPF in the blood, or prevent CMPF from entering the beta cell through blockage of OAT3, we believe that we can preserve beta-cell function and prevent the beta-cell failure that ultimately causes diabetes.”
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.