Gene Trait Increases Diabetes Risk

A University of Alberta study has discovered a variation of a common gene trait that could increase risk of type 2 diabetes. The investigators in the study, said the team discovered 2 million Canadians who may be at an increased risk of the disease if they carry a particular type of a common genetic trait known as a polymorphism.

Authors Peter Light and Michael Riedel said saturated and trans fats are much more effective activators of a specific potassium channel found in the pancreas, which reduces insulin secretion from the pancreas and increases blood sugar levels when activated. They said the effect is amplified in the polymorphic potassium channel.

"We’re suggesting that people with this specific potassium channel polymorphism — about 2 million Canadians — may be more susceptible to type 2 diabetes if they have a high fat diet or are overweight, two of the biggest risk factors for type 2 diabetes," Light said. "This may explain why 20 percent of type 2 diabetic Caucasians carry two copies of this polymorphism in their genes compared to only 10 percent in the non-diabetic Caucasian population."
Diabetes, July 2005

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DID YOU KNOW:
TYPE 2 AT A YOUNGER AGE INCREASES RISK OF COMPLICATIONS:
The Pima Native Americans of Arizona have been under study by NIH since 1965 and have the highest reported incidence and prevalence of type 2 diabetes of any ethnic group in the world. Because of Pima genetics and lifestyle, their youth started getting type 2 long before the wider U.S. population did, and they have a sped up life cycle of diabetes — now we are seeing the results. So this is a dire "canary in the coal mine" story. (#1066) In Pimas, diabetic kidney disease is 5 times as common later on in life if type 2 had started in adolescence, compared to when it starts in adulthood – and such youth go on to have the highest death rate from natural causes compared to adults with or without diabetes. This is the best evidence that we must stem the tide of obesity in our youth to help prevent type 2 in kids. ADA 65th Scientific Sessions Poster 1066