It seems researchers from the Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals in Ohio in the US have identified the root cause for insulin resistance and the onset of type 2 diabetes with the discovery of an enzyme that binds nitric oxide molecules with proteins in blood. Their latest study has concluded that this enzyme results in excess nitric oxide levels and their subsequent reaction on proteins doubling up as insulin receptors, which could adversely affect both insulin secretion and also cause insulin resistance leading to high blood glucose levels .
They have also stated that this finding would help to develop specific medications to target and block this enzyme that could help to prevent and tackle type 2 diabetes in the future. The finding of this study has been published in the latest edition of the research journal Cell.
The enzyme responsible for diabetes
The researchers have recorded that the new enzyme SNO-CoA-assisted nitrosylase or SCAN is responsible for curtailing insulin activity and causing diabetes. To put it in simpler terms, the SCAN enzyme is involved in getting nitric oxide molecules attached to various proteins including those that act as receptors for insulin secretion in the body. But if this enzymatic action happens in excess then there will be excess nitric oxide molecules which would increase oxidative stress in these insulin receptors. This makes them unable to relay proper signals for both insulin secretion and also ensuring that the available insulin acts on circulating blood glucose possibly resulting in a state of insulin resistance. This will make the available insulin unable to push blood glucose into cells and tissues to perform various physiological activities leading to excess glucose circulating in the blood.
“Some level of SCAN activity is essential for effective management of blood glucose by insulin, so does this mean that if it exceeds beyond a limit then it has an adverse effect on insulin activity,” says Dr Jonathan Stamler, professor, Cardiovascular Innovation, Case Western Reserve School of Medicine and also the lead author of the study in an email interaction with Happiest Health. Prof. Dr. Stamler is also credited with discovery of the protein S -nitrosylation process, which is crucial for multiple physiological activities in the human body.
The researchers also found that a high level of SCAN activity was recorded both in people already diagnosed with diabetes and also in the mice with high blood glucose. But this was not seen in mice with normal blood glucose that were part of the study.
“Yes. Blocking SCAN should prevent diabetes,” Prof Dr Stamler adds.
The link between nitric oxide, stress and diabetes
Nitric oxide is closely involved in multiple physiological processes ranging from dilating the endothelial linings of the blood vessels to control blood pressure to hormone secretion and immunological activities. Prof Dr Stamler adds that Nitric oxide tends to be beneficial in normal levels as it helps to enhance insulin secretion and also controls the level of insulin activity in our body. There has to be a proper balance when it comes to insulin secretion and its activity in your body so that blood glucose levels are maintained at healthy levels to keep diabetes at bay.
However excess nitric oxide and its combination with certain compounds could lead to an imbalance between oxidants and anti-oxidants in the body causing oxidative stress and related complications right from the cellular level.
“Excessive SCAN activity leads to what we call ‘nitrosative stress- a form of oxidative stress which is caused by nitric oxide,” Prof Dr Stamler explains how SCAN and nitric oxide ends up causing diabetes.
Nitrosative stress is also often cited as an oxygen metabolism disorder which is also responsible for various health complications including cardiovascular complications.
Some of the common sources of dietary nitrates which get converted into nitric oxide by human oral microbiota include vegetables and fruits. It is very unlikely to have excess nitric oxide levels in your body from your regular natural diet, however unsupervised intake of supplements and inhalation could cause health problems.
Finding a cure for diabetes
Prof Dr Stamler is hopeful that blocking SCAN activity could be the way to tackle diabetes in the coming days. The researchers are hopeful that further studies and targeted therapy methods to curtail and manage the activity of this enzyme could help to develop a cure or novel medication to more effectively tackle diabetes. The animal models have also given indications that the enzyme could hold key for managing diabetes related complications including obesity.
“ We do not know yet but the mice ( used in the study) without SCAN did not gain weight . (They seemed to be ) protected from obesity,” Prof Dr Stamler adds.
Takeaways
A team of researchers from Ohio has discovered a carrier enzyme SCAN which binds nitric oxide to proteins including those acting as insulin receptors as the possible reason for the onset of diabetes. The enzyme is involved in binding nitric oxide to proteins including those that are insulin receptors. Excess SCAN activity leads to excess oxidative stress which is attributed as the main cause for insulin resistance and awry insulin secretion leading to type 2 diabetes. Further research to block or inhibit the functioning of SCAN enzyme might prove crucial in developing medications to control or prevent diabetes in the future
