Improper activation/production of insulin contributes to weight gain
While packing on the pounds increases the risk of diabetes, the inverse is also true: compromised insulin production can lead to unhealthy weight gain. Researchers from the Swiss University of Basel found dysregulation in an enzyme that modulates the activation of insulin can indeed cause one to become overweight.
A research group led by Dr. Daniel Zeman-Meier of the university’s Department of Biomedicine and the University Hospital of Basel, focused on a key body enzyme that activates insulin, called PC1/3. This enzyme also transforms various inactive hormone precursors into their final, active forms.
If PC1/3 isn’t functioning properly in a person, consequences include a feeling of uncontrollable hunger and severe weight gain, in addition to endocrine disorders.
In an experiment, shutting off PC1/3 specifically in the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas in mice led to significant consumption of more calories – the mice soon became overweight and diabetic.
PC1/3 is equally important in the weight regulation of healthy individuals, emphasised research group lead Professor Marc Donath.
This indicates that incorrect insulin activation could be not only a consequence, but also a cause of overweight. In this regard, the researchers were able to show that the gene expression of PC1/3 in the pancreas is negatively correlated with body weight in the general population.
In simpler terms, sufficient PC1/3 promotes a healthy body weight.
The finding that a defect in the insulin-producing beta cells is a trigger of overweight opens up new therapeutic possibilities. For example, it is conceivable that medications could be used to reduce the production of immature insulin precursors, creating a new tool in the fight against overweight and diabetes.
