Excessive chronic production of ROS is associated with skeletal muscle insulin resistance. Glutathione is the most abundant endogenous antioxidant in the cell and thus, a crucial protector against ROS and insulin resistance. Based on previous studies, we speculate that glutathione supplementation improves skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity and that this effect may be ascribed to a reduced level of ROS.
In normal physiology, glucagon from pancreatic alpha cells plays an important role in maintaining glucose homeostasis via its regulatory effect on hepatic glucose production. Patients with type 2 diabetes exhibit elevated plasma glucagon levels in the fasting state, and glucagon concentrations fail to decrease appropriately and may even increase in response to ingestion of glucose and after ingestion of a mixed meal.
It is known that the three microvascular complications of diabetes, affecting the retina, kidney and peripheral nervous system, are determined to a large degree by how well glucose levels are managed and by the duration of diabetes. However, even at a similar level of glycaemic control and diabetes duration, some patients develop complications earlier and experience a more aggressive progression of these complications than others.
Fractures are a serious complication to type 2 diabetes (T2D) and may give rise to pain, need of care, reduced quality of life, and increased mortality. Bone is remodelled throughout life through bone resorption by the osteoclasts and bone formation by the osteoblasts. The remodelling activity and the balance between resorption and subsequent formation are influenced by many factors including food consumption.
Background: Type 2 diabetic patients have a significantly reduced life expectancy compared to non-diabetics, primarily due to a markedly increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) events. New effective preventive treatment strategies are highly needed. The arteries in diabetic patients are significantly stiffer than in non-diabetics, and there is evidence that this significantly contributes to the increased CV risk.
This PhD project aims at elucidating endocrine functions of the colon since the colonic epithelium harbors a high number of the endocrine GLP-1 and PYY secreting cells. These are of great interest because of their highly attractive anti-diabetic and anti-obesity effects. We anticipate that several of the colonic mechanisms for secretion are related to those observed in the small intestine.
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) complications currently put a tremendous burden on health care systems. In order to improve survival and care of patients with T2D and hinder chronic complications, we must improve our understanding of the pathways and predictors of these complications. Mannan-binding lectin (MBL) is a multifunctional protein involved in innate immunity that may have a dual role in affecting both susceptibility of infections and micro- and macrovascular complications in T2D.
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