New unexpected cause of diabetes development found

Researchers at the University of Washington have made a breakthrough in understanding the mechanisms of type 2 diabetes development. According to a new study published in the prestigious Journal of Clinical Investigation (JCI), hyperactive AgRP neurons in the hypothalamus play a crucial role in the development of this disease.

Scientists have found that increased activity of these neurons may be a more significant risk factor than excess weight and insulin regulation disorders, which were traditionally considered the main causes.

Until now, the medical community has held the view that type 2 diabetes occurs primarily due to insulin resistance - a condition in which the body's cells respond poorly to insulin. Various factors influence the development of this condition: diet, lifestyle, physical activity, age-related changes, pregnancy, and puberty. However, the new study calls into question the dominant role of this mechanism.

During the experiment, the scientific team applied an innovative approach: using a viral gene, they blocked signals from AgRP neurons in mice with diabetes. The results were impressive - the rodents' blood sugar levels normalized, without any changes in the animals' body weight and appetite. This discovery challenges the widespread theory that diabetes develops primarily due to obesity and insulin resistance.

Researchers note an interesting fact: some modern diabetes medications, including the popular Ozempic, also affect these neurons, although the mechanism of such impact is still insufficiently studied. The scientists plan to determine the causes of AgRP neuron hyperactivity and develop safe methods to control their function.