Diabetes and Obesity Can be Prevented By Blocking FKBP51 Protein

Of the diseases that plague man till date, Diabetes remains one of the most dangerous and chronic type. The world is familiar with the diabetes disease, and despite its chronic nature, so many people still suffer from the disease which renders out immune system weak.

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While we scientists are fighting had to develop an outright cure for the disease, people would have to shun habits and lifestyles that can potentially lead to the risk of obesity and diabetes.

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For instance a new study has fingered stress as one of the factors which may increase the chances of diabetes or obesity in the body.

Stress is something people react to differently. Some people, when stressed out, turn to junk food – that is a no-no!

Stress and Diabetes: The Study

Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry through a new study has discovered that a stress-related protein has the potential to increase the body’s chances of diabetes and obesity.

The new study is not all gloom however; because the positives from the study is that blocking that stress-related protein, could eradicate illnesses such as diabetes and obesity.

FKBP51: The Stress-related protein

The study discovered that the protein, ‘FKBP51’ is helpful in regulating the body’s stress system. It plays this role by releasing cortisol (a steroid hormone) when your body detects stress. The steroid hormone, cortisol then assists with a response which could be fight-or-flight.

However, the study revealed that certain mutations in the gene of the FKBP5 protein can alter the way the body responds to stress. The mutative genes have been implicated in disorders of psychological nature, such as PTSD, anxiety and depression.

But then, brilliant minds at the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry have found out that these psychological ill effects go beyond affecting the mental realm and faculties.

The Max Planck scientists have figured out that the FKBP51 protein functions as a connector between the body’s stress regulatory system and the metabolism. Also, it was observed that the increased levels of the FKBP51 protein can reduce the ability of the body to absorb glucose. And this can consequently lead to obesity and diabetes.

The strange twist involving the failure of the body to absorb glucose, is that the body also regards excess fat consumption as ‘stressful’ and releases even more of the stress-related FKBP51 to tackle the issue, thereby exacerbating the problem even more.

A lead researcher on the project, Mathias Schmidt, explained that;

"FKBP51 influences a signaling cascade in muscle tissue, which with excessive calorie intake leads to the development of glucose intolerance, i.e., the key indicator of diabetes type 2."

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The Positive Spin

Given the new and improved understanding of the FKBP51, the scientists figure that the discovery would lead to a new approach and method of treating diabetes and also prevent obesity from the developing.

Through further analysis, the researchers suggest that a procedure of blocking the FKBP51 actions could prevent diabetes from developing at all; even a person continues consuming regular high-fat diet.

As further prove of their successful project, the Max Planck researchers have developed negating and antagonist compounds capable of blocking FKBP51 pharmacologically.

The researchers say they are improving on their antagonist compounds for expected use during clinical trials.

Conclusion

Gene mutations have positive and negative effects in our body system. But there is nothing as scary as a gene which when trying to perform its legitimate function, ends up causing more harm than good. Such is the case of the different mutations of the protein FKBP51 gene.

The uniqueness of the FKBP51 stress-related protein can be a blessing and a curse to the human body apparently. The new study has revealed that FKBP51 links stress to metabolic function.

If stress can be detected and analyzed by the body, and in a bid to resolve the issue, a mutation of the FKBP51 gene reduces the body’s ability to absorb glucose; this then becomes the genesis of the problem of diabetes.

Thankfully, the new antagonist compound developed by the researchers at the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, would serve as ‘anti-stress compounds’ to counter the effects of mutations of the FKBP51 and rid the world of the dreaded diabetes disease and obesity.

Diabetes and Obesity Can be Prevented By Blocking FKBP51 Protein

Stress and Diabetes: The Study

FKBP51: The Stress-related protein

The Positive Spin

Conclusion

Reference:

Research: Paper

Further Reading:

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